Governor Kevin Stitt issued an executive order banning TikTok for state government agencies, employees and contractors on government networks or on government-issued devices, including state-issued cellphones, computers, or any other device capable of internet connectivity.
The Governor’s office says the Executive Order is in response to ongoing national and cybersecurity threats created by TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, and dissemination of users information within the Chinese Communist Party.
“Maintaining the cybersecurity of state government is necessary to continue to serve and protect Oklahoma citizens and we will not participate in helping the Chinese Communist Party gain access to government information,” said Governor Stitt.
The executive order follows several other states that have already banned the app from government agencies.
Earlier this week, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced an emergency cybersecurity directive banning the use of TikTok and certain China and Russia-based platforms in the state’s executive branch of government.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday instructed state agencies to ban employee use of TikTok.
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