New York bans TikTok on government devices due to security concerns

New York City has taken the initiative following a security assessment that deemed the app a potential threat, due to its ownership by Chinese firm ByteDance. The move follows a ban in other states such as New Jersey, Ohio, Texas and Georgia, which have argued similar concerns.

While not an absolute first, as in 2020 the state of New York and the U.S. House of Representatives had restricted the app on government devices, this new ban is an extension, covering all devices under state and municipal jurisdiction.

The Biden administration has also increased pressure on TikTok by demanding that it unbundle itself from its Chinese parent. Despite this, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has defended ByteDance’s independence from the Chinese government in testimony before Congress.

While there is no concrete evidence implicating TikTok in state espionage, these restrictions could reflect excessive paranoia and harm relations with Chinese companies in the U.S. Some states such as Montana are even looking to completely ban TikTok for the general public by 2024.

Despite TikTok’s efforts to maintain a positive image in the U.S., past incidents, such as four ByteDance employees tracking journalists’ IP addresses, have tarnished its reputation and sparked an ongoing fight.

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