Several states have banned TikTok on state-owned devices. And networks, affecting some students at public universities.
When some students return to their college campuses after vacation. They may be unable to log into their favorite apps.
The University of Oklahoma and Auburn University in Alabama announced this month. That they would ban access to TikTok from campus Wi-Fi, following executive. Orders from their respective governors to restrict the app to state-owned devices and networks.
But a handful of affected university students who spoke to todaystrendnews News Said the newly enacted policies won’t prevent them from scrolling the pages for you. Many called the ban unnecessary.
“You’re taking something away from students who have nothing to do with government. Or government technology for the state of Alabama.” said Auburn University junior Christopher Graham.
Their colleges banned TikTok over security fears.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey banned TikTok on state-owned devices. and networks on December 12, citing cybersecurity concerns and fears of Chinese espionage. Meanwhile, states like Maryland banned the app. And other Chinese and Russian products on Dec. 6 after an todaystrendnews News investigation found. That a state-sponsored hacking group stole millions in unemployment benefits from the United States.
Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina. South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Virginia also enacted similar bans last monthNebraska banned the app for public officials in 2020 Lawmakers in the US House.
And Senate also proposed a bipartisan bill on December 13 to ban TikTok federally.
On Tuesday, Todaystrendnews News reported that House Chief Administrative Officer of Lawmakers and Staff Catherine L. A memo from Szpinder directed. That they must remove TikTok from any house-issued mobile phone and prohibit downloading the popular app. such as devices. The ban comes after the office’s cybersecurity unit deemed TikTok a “high risk to users due to many security risks,” the memo said.
Although Graham said he understood that Auburn’s policy stemmed from Ive’s mandate. It was unclear to him how student data was as sensitive or required protection as state officials.
“We were surprised and shocked,” Graham said of the university’s decision. “TikTok is something that we do, like, to pass the time. because there’s not always something to do on campus or something to do with you guys. So it’s really awkward when we log into our Wi-Fi now. Do and boom, you can’t go on TikTok.”
An Auburn University spokesperson clarified that students are not banned from using TikTok. , just that they will not be able to access it on Auburn’s network or devices.
“Efforts are underway to remove TikTok from all state-owned devices provided by Auburn.” The university wrote in a message to its campus community. which a spokesperson shared with todaystrendnews News. “Also note that the new policy recommends moving TikTok away from personal. There are also devices to protect an individual’s privacy. The governor’s order addresses the growing risk of intrusive social media. Applications collecting information completely unrelated to the platform’s business use.
Some at the University of Oklahoma echoed Graham’s concerns.
University of Oklahoma sophomore Ryan Woods. said Oklahoma state officials seem to be focusing. More on “hot button, minute issues, like social media apps.” rather than actually. Caring for our vulnerable population in Oklahoma. “And we kind of feel like the focus needs to be redirected elsewhere.”
For example, he said, education and healthcare are policy areas. where the state can improve.
On December 8, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt issued an executive order. “prohibiting state government agencies, employees and contractors, state-issued cell phones. computers, or any other device capable of Internet connectivity. From accessing TikTok on government networks or government-issued devices.”
Nathan Aaron Texada, a senior studying industrial. And systems engineering at the University of Oklahomaaid the ban particularly hurts the Gallogley College of Engineering.
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“We have an engineering TikTok that we keep making light jokes about what it’s like to be an engineer.” It doesn’t exist.”
A University of Oklahoma spokeswoman said the school is complying with Stitt’s executive order.
“As a result of the executive order, access to the TikTok platform will be blocked and cannot be accessed from the campus network. “University-administered TikTok accounts must be deleted. And replaced with alternative social media platforms,” the school said in a message to students and staff, which it shared with todaystrendnews News.
Texada said he felt that TikTok, beyond helping with marketing, was a resource for the university community. Especially international students.
“Some of them don’t have phone bills,” Texada said. “They rely on Wi-Fi to do everything. They will communicate on WhatsApp and other social media. And so if they don’t have a phone, they don’t have data, they can’t use TikTok, because they’re relying on [university] Wi-Fi.”
A spokesperson for TikTok said it was “disappointed” by the recent ban by state governments and now some universities.
“We are disappointed that so many states have jumped on the political bandwagon to enact policies. That will do nothing to advance cybersecurity in their states and are based on baseless lies about TikTok.” Spokeswoman Brooke Oberwetter said in an emailed statement. That are beginning to affect universities’ ability to share campus-wide information. recruit students, and build communities around athletic teams, student. groups, campus publications, and more.”
Still, Texada, Woods and Graham said they believe the new guidelines at their schools will have minimal impact on students using the app.
They listed various ways they could get around the ban, including going off-campus to use their data. Or virtual private networks, equipment that encrypts Internet activity. And different network connections.
“If anything, it’s going to be a distraction for a lot of students, like those who live on campus and those who live in the dorms,” Woods said.
