On Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, Ohio Governor Mike Dewine signed Executive Order 2023-03D, banning certain apps, platforms, and websites on state-issued devices.
This order specifically bans apps and sites that are owned by entities in China such as TikTok, Wechat, and 18 other platforms. This is due to security concerns over the collection of personal information and business data.
“Social media applications and platforms operating in China engage in surreptitious data privacy and cybersecurity practices to include collecting private information, behavioral use data, biometric data and other data contained on the devices of the users,” the order states.
This occurred on the first day of Dewine’s second term, where he signed four other executive orders. This ban will restrict state agencies, boards, and commissions from using Chinese owned platforms.
“The State of Ohio will not permit its state-owned or state-leased devices to act as a source to provide information to the CCP,” the order states.
Like Ohio, New Jersey, Arkansas, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Mississippi have also placed a ban on TikTok since the beginning of 2023, bumping the total number of states to do so to at least 31. At least four states have proposed similar plans.
In response to the growing number of states banning the app, TikTok spokesperson Jamal Brown said, “We’re disappointed that so many states are jumping on the political bandwagon to enact policies that will do nothing to advance cybersecurity in their states and are based on unfounded falsehoods about TikTok.”
The United States Congress banned the app from government-issued devices in December 2022 due to bipartisan concerns of security and the spread of misinformation. The White House, Pentagon, Department of Homeland Security, and State Department already restrict staff members from using TikTok on government issued; this ban extended the policy to all U.S. government workers.
TikTok is a social media app used for watching, creating, and sharing short videos. It was released in September 2016 by Chinese company ByteDance.