USM bans TikTok from internet network, state-owned devices

BY LOREN JONES SM2 STAFF

Lawyers for The University of Southern Mississippi announced that the app and website TikTok has been blocked on university Wi-Fi and wired networks, along with a ban on the use of the app on state-owned computers and cell phones, effective Jan. 30.

The mandate does not apply to personal devices and commercial networks, so faculty, staff and students will still be able to access TikTok on campus using their cellular network. However, filters are in place on USM Wi-Fi networks, such as eduroam and USM Public, to block the app and others made by the same company, according to Allen Baxter, iTech Information Security Officer.

This ban comes from a directive issued by Gov. Tate Reeves on Jan. 11 to all Mississippi departments and agencies banning TikTok from all state-issued government devices and the state’s net- works. Meaning all Southern Miss students and employees with state-issued phones, computers and other wireless communication equipment must delete any apps or other software applications developed by ByteDance Ltd., developer of TikTok, by the end of the month.

The ban stems from cybersecurity issues and fears over Chinese spying.

“It’s no secret that the Chinese Communist Party is actively trying to steal U.S. intellectual property and Americans’ personal information. It’s a major threat to our national security and critical infrastructure, costs the U.S. economy hundreds of billions annually, and jeopardizes American jobs,” Reeves said in his January 11 press release. “Mississippi isn’t going to sit around waiting for the Chinese Communist Party to steal our state government data, and that’s why I issued this directive. It will help us better protect our state’s sensitive information and critical infrastructure.”