US Senate Votes To Ban TikTok App On Government Devices (reuters.com) 19
The U.S. Senate on Thursday unanimously voted to ban federal employees from using TikTok on government-issued devices. Reuters reports: The app has come under fire from U.S. lawmakers and the Trump administration over national security concerns because China's ByteDance owns the technology. The company currently faces a deadline of Sept. 15 to either sell its U.S. operations to Microsoft Corp or face an outright ban. "I'm encouraged by the bipartisan support we have seen in this body to hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable and that includes ... holding accountable those corporations who would just do China's bidding," [said Senator Josh Hawley who wrote the bill]. "And, if I have anything to say about it, we won't be stopping here," the Republican senator added.
Last month, the House of Representatives voted to bar federal employees from downloading the app on government-issued devices as part of a proposal offered by Representative Ken Buck. With passage in the House and approval by the Senate, the prohibition is expected to soon become law in the United States.
Last month, the House of Representatives voted to bar federal employees from downloading the app on government-issued devices as part of a proposal offered by Representative Ken Buck. With passage in the House and approval by the Senate, the prohibition is expected to soon become law in the United States.
They shot their wad (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Nice work there, but tomorrow's the last session for Congress scheduled before election time... so they've better get the stimulus bill passed!
Re: (Score:2)
You just need to tell them that China doesn't want us to have a stimulus. Then it'll happen overnight.
Good (Score:3)
This actually makes complete sense. They shouldn't be using something like TikTok on devices The People paid for, regardless of whatever [legit or otherwise] security concerns they likely have in mind.
(I could say the same thing about most other apps as well...)
Re: (Score:2)
TikTok is going to get banned for Chinese ownership... get ready for the Great Firewall of China to go up.
Re: (Score:2)
They originally had problems with cameras being brought into Federal offices... now they have the tech to ban pictures unless they say so.
Re: Good (Score:1)
Iâ(TM)ve retired but back in my day most Windows laptops and Nokia phones were managed by Corp IT.
Is that even possible on Android? I vaguely remember Apple had tools which allowed IT to push apps down our throats.
Re: (Score:2)
Well, I haven't been able to figure out exactly what Tiktok is, but the reports don't seem to have a lot of valid use cases for government equipment.
OTOH, I could easily imagine edge cases where there *were* valid uses...if only to check that your propaganda was properly displaying.
Re: (Score:2)
TikTok was a fun dance video sharing app that was paying for the music it used... but the fear is it's being snooped on by China, collecting a database of our beautiful teenagers. Seems like we're headed for the Great Firewall of China.
Re: (Score:2)
This actually makes complete sense. They shouldn't be using something like TikTok on devices The People paid for, regardless of whatever [legit or otherwise] security concerns they likely have in mind.
(I could say the same thing about most other apps as well...)
I think most sane people have the same opinion of Microsoft.
Re: (Score:2)
Government computers are meant for government work. When done properly, only the apps the staff member needs to carry out their job are on that computer and no staff members at any time is allowed to install an ap. That is down by the computer network team. They install all apps on all the computers on the network, no matter how small and in regard to government work computers, only if they are related to the job that particular worker carries out.
If you want you staff to have internet access, provide a st
Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman (Score:2)
by Harlan Ellison
Only government devices? (Score:2)
All Chinese software and network devices need to be banned, everywhere, not just for government devices.
Streisand Effect (Score:1)
Unless the go ernment somehow totally firewalls TikToc, they are doing a heck of a job making sure every young person in America has the app and uses it regularly.
Isnt't there already a mandate that Federal.... (Score:2)
Employees have be at least 18 years of age to be hired?
How is tiktok useful to gov officers? (Score:2)
Maybe I don't get it, maybe it's just FUD. Maybe it's marketing.
Nonetheless I would like to know.
Does the Senate not have more important work? (Score:2)
I don't get it, this feels like the sort of decision that should be getting handled by whatever the military equivalent is of a mid-level manager. I assume they get intel reports from the NSA, CIA and whatever other three letter agencies. I'm not American but not clear why the Senate is involved here, unless of course it's just political posturing and dick-waving in advance of the election.