The administration of New York City Mayor Eric Adams has taken a proactive security measure by banning TikTok from all government devices. City employees have been directed to delete the app from their work phones within 30 days due to concerns of Chinese espionage. The NYC Cyber Command has identified TikTok as a potential security threat to the city’s technical networks, leading to the prohibition of the app and website on government-issued devices.
The City Hall spokesperson emphasized the importance of using social media platforms securely while acknowledging their value in connecting New Yorkers. The NYC Cyber Command regularly explores proactive measures to safeguard the data of New Yorkers. This ban has been in the works for months, with speculation that it could extend statewide. National security experts have raised alarms about the possibility of data on the platform being accessed by the Communist Party, as TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a China-based tech company with alleged supremacy over all data held by TikTok.
It is noteworthy that Mayor Eric Adams himself had an active TikTok account until recently when he shared a video promoting responsible pet care during hot summers. However, as of now, the mayor’s TikTok page indicates that it is no longer monitored. The NYC Cyber Command and Mayor Adams have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding this ban.
This ban aligns with the No TikTok on Government Devices Act under President Joe Biden’s administration, enabling federal agencies to prohibit access to the social media site and successor applications or services developed or provided by ByteDance. The Post has also reached out to TikTok for comment. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has denied any Chinese government access to US user data despite concerns expressed by critics and US lawmakers from both political parties.
There has been a push to ban TikTok in the US since 2020 based on worries about China’s potential data access to American users. President Donald Trump was in favor of banning the app in 2020, and now the Biden administration has reportedly warned ByteDance executives that without selling its stakes, TikTok would face a ban. China has strongly opposed any forced sale, while Montana became the first state to ban the app through legislation signed by Governor Greg Gianforte. TikTok has responded with a lawsuit, asserting that the ban violates the First Amendment rights of the company and its users.
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