The Biden Administration is currently allowing federal agencies 30 days to completely rid TikTok from federal devices. Vendors will also have to follow the same rules.
TikTok, one of the most popular apps worldwide.
Shalanda Young, Office of Management and Budget Director, instructed agencies to make sure that TikTok was completely uninstalled on federal devices in 30 days. Contractors were given 90 days to meet that same requirement.
In December, Congress voted for the ban of TikTok on all federal devices and gave the Biden administration 60 days to issue agency directives. The vote was used by lawmakers in an attempt to crack down on Chinese companies and prevent any possibility of potential spying on Americans.
Banning TikTok is a way for federal agencies to stay more secure and to eliminate the possibility of data breaches and other such happenings. Young told agencies that getting rid of TikTok will help prohibit internet traffic from reaching the company.
Due to security reasons, agencies like the Department of Defense, the State Department, and the Department of Homeland Security already underwent existing TikTok bans. Overall, federal agencies believe it is better to alleviate the risk of allowing the app on such devices.
Chris DeRusha, federal chief information security officer said, “The Biden-Harris Administration has invested heavily in defending our nation’s digital infrastructure and curbing foreign adversaries’ access to Americans’ data. This guidance is part of the Administration’s ongoing commitment to securing our digital infrastructure and protecting the American people’s security and privacy.”
When asked about the recent TikTok ban, President Joe Biden said, “I know I don’t have it on my phone.”
ByteDance’s TikTok claims that concerns are mostly fueled by misinformation and denied using the app to spy on the American people. The more than 100 million Americans who use TikTok every day will not be affected by this ban.
Do you think the ban of TikTok on federal devices was a good move?