South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem Signs Executive Order to Prohibit Government Use of Chinese Social Media App TikTok

What happened?

On February 2, 2023, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem signed an executive order prohibiting state government entities from using the Chinese social media app TikTok.

Why is this important?

The executive order is part of a growing trend among U.S. states to restrict the use of TikTok due to concerns about national security and data privacy.

Key details of the executive order:

• Prohibits state government entities from downloading or using TikTok on state-owned devices.
• Requires state contractors to certify that they do not use TikTok on state-owned devices or networks.
• Directs the South Dakota Bureau of Information and Telecommunications to develop a plan to implement the executive order.

Background:

TikTok is a popular social media app owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. The app has been under scrutiny in the United States over concerns that the Chinese government could use it to collect data on American users.

In 2022, Congress passed a law banning the use of TikTok on government-owned devices. Several states have also passed similar laws.

Reaction:

The executive order has been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised Governor Noem for taking steps to protect South Dakota's national security. Others have criticized the order as an overreaction.

Conclusion:

The executive order is a significant step in South Dakota's efforts to protect its national security and data privacy.