North Dakota governor bans TikTok app in executive branch agencies
Gov. Doug Burgum cited national security concerns following a warning from the FBI
Tennessee bans TikTok on state devices
Rep. Scott Fitgerald, R-Wisc., discusses the dangers of TikTok as Tennessee becomes the first state to ban the app on state devices and the House GOP targeting the 51 intelligence officials who claimed Hunter Biden's laptop was 'disinformation.'
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum signed an executive order on Tuesday banning the social media app TikTok from state-owned devices issued by executive branch agencies.
Citing national security concerns, the governor's office said that the order specifically prohibits executive branch agencies and their employees from visiting the TikTok website or downloading the app on any government-issued equipment or while connected to the state network.
In addition, it directs the state's IT department to implement controls to enforce the ban, as well as assist partner entities that use the state network if they need help protecting and securing their equipment and employees.
"Protecting citizens’ data is our top priority, and our IT professionals have determined, in consultation with federal officials, that TikTok raises multiple flags in terms of the amount of data it collects and how that data may be shared with and used by the Chinese government," Gov. Doug Burgum said in a statement. "Reducing this security risk is the right thing to do, and we would offer NDIT’s support to assist and advise any partner entities that wish to pursue similar measures."
LAWMAKERS PROPOSE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CUT OFF TIKTOK'S ABILITY TO MAKE MONEY IN US
In this photo illustration, the TikTok app is displayed on an Apple iPhone on Aug. 7, 2020, in Washington, D.C. ((Photo Illustration by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) / Getty Images)
The office also noted that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had recently raised national security concerns about TikTok, saying the platform is in the hands of a Chinese government "that doesn’t share our values."
FBI Director Christopher Wray said the agency was concerned that the Chinese had the ability to control the app's recommendation algorithm, "which allows them to manipulate content, and if they want to, to use it for influence operations."
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee on March 10, 2022, in Washington, D.C. ((Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) / Getty Images)
He also said that China could use the app to collect data on its users that could be used for traditional espionage operations.
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Burgum joins several other Republican governors who have taken similar measures.
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum speaks during a press conference announcing plans for the cleanup of the Oceti Sakowin protest camp on Feb. 22, 2017, in Mandan, North Dakota. ((Photo by Stephen Yang/Getty Images) / Getty Images)
The U.S. armed forces also have prohibited the app on military devices.
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Bipartisan lawmakers introduced legislation on Tuesday that would ban all financial transactions from TikTok.
"We're disappointed that so many states are jumping on the political bandwagon to enact policies based on unfounded falsehoods about TikTok that will do nothing to advance the national security of the United States," a TikTok spokesperson told FOX Business in an emailed statement.
"We will continue to brief state and federal officials on the plans that have been developed under the oversight of our country's top national security agencies—plans that we are well underway in implementing—to further secure our platform in the United States," the spokesperson added.
FOX Business' Greg Wehner and The Associated Press contributed to this report.