The country is not pulling its punches on the popular social media app TikTok, citing concerns over security breaches from the likes of China.
At least 25 governors have banned TikTok on state devices, and many of the state’s colleges and universities were quick to ban it from their school-issued devices as well, including campus Wi-Fi. However, students are still allowed to use the app on personal devices using their own data.
Following Florida’s TikTok ban across its public universities, at least five states have issued similar restrictions, whether for state colleges or universities—or both. Tennessee is about to make it six, pending the signature of the governor.
More from UB: Despite security concerns on the part of schools, students still lean on TikTok
Alabama
- Dec. 21, 2022 – Auburn University
- Jan. 20 – University of North Alabama
Arkansas
- Jan. 18 – Arkansas State University
- Jan. 18 – Arkansas Tech University
- Jan. 24 – University of Arkansas System
Florida
April 7 – The State University System of Florida Board of Governors unanimously approved the app’s ban across its 12 public university campuses.
Georgia
Dec. 20, 2022 – The University System of Georgia banned its use on school-owned phones, laptops and Wi-Fi across its 26 public colleges and universities, following the lead of Gov. Brian Kemp separately banning TikTok on all government devices.
Idaho
- Dec. 19, 2022 – Boise State University
- Dec. 20, 2022 – Idaho State University
- Dec. 21, 2022 – University of Idaho
Iowa
Dec. 15, 2022 – The Iowa Board of Regents directed a statewide public university ban.
- University of Iowa
- Iowa State University
- University of Northern Iowa
Maryland
Dec. 21, 2022 – Morgan State University
Montana
Jan. 15 – The Montana University system banned TikTok across the school’s 16 public colleges and universities.
Mississippi
- Jan. 26 – University of Southern Mississippi
- Feb. 2 – University of Mississippi
Oklahoma
- Dec. 9, 2022 – Northwestern State University
- Dec. 16, 2022 – University of Central Oklahoma
- Dec. 20, 2022 – University of Oklahoma
- Dec. 21, 2022 – Oklahoma State University
- Dec. 23, 2022 – Langston University
South Dakota
Dec. 8, 2022 – The South Dakota Board of Regents banned TikTok across its public university system, affecting these six schools:
- Black Hills State University
- University of South Dakota
- Northern State University
- Dakota State University
- South Dakota State University
- South Dakota Mines
Tennessee
March 23 – A bill passed by the House of Representatives and Senate states that any of Tennessee’s public postsecondary institutions providing internet access cannot allow individuals to access “a social media platform using the institution’s network if the platform is operated or hosted by a company based in the People’s Republic of China,” according to WBIR.
SB 0834 is expected to be signed into law by Tennessee’s governor.
Texas
- Dec. 9, 2022 – University of Houston System
- Dec. 12, 2022 – Texas Tech University System
- Dec. 13, 2022 – West Texas A&M University
- Dec. 21, 2022 – University of Texas – Dallas
- Jan. 6 – Lamar University
- Jan. 17 – University of Houston – Downtown
- Jan. 17 – University of North Texas
- Jan. 17 – University of Texas – Arlington
- Jan. 17 – University of Texas – Austin
- Jan. 17 – University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Jan 17. – University of Texas – San Antonio
- Jan. 17 – Texas A&M University
- Jan. 26 – McLennan Community College System
- Jan. 26 – Temple College
- Feb. 11 – Laredo College