China spying fears: TikTok ban grows with these US states – Times of India

As relations between China and the United States continue to be tense, Chinese companies are facing a tough time. The popular short video app TikTok is a case in point. TikTok troubles in the US seem refusing to end. Wisconsin and North Carolina are the latest US states to ban the app on state government devices. The duo have joined at least 22 other states in banning TikTok from government devices.
Other states that do not allow government officials to install TikTok on official devices include Louisiana, Mississippi, South Dakota, Indiana, and more. Incidentally, the federal government headed by President Biden also prohibits its officials from using the Chinese social media app on their phones.

Perceived security concern is the culprit … again
The US government’s stance on TikTok stems from the fears that its parent company ByteDance may share sensitive user data with the Chinese government. ByteDance houses an internal CCP committee, which is one of the main causes of concern. Several other Chinese companies like Huawei and ZTE are banned in the country from government projects.
More Chinese apps may get banned in US states
The growing suspicion of Chinese apps isn’t going anywhere for now as indicated by the latest states to ban TikTok. While North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has hinted towards banning some other Chinese apps, his Wisconsin counterpart, Tony Evers, has ordered an audit of platforms and vendors that could compromise state’s cybersecurity.

Responding to the TikTok ban, Cooper said, “It’s important for us to protect state information technology from foreign countries that have actively participated in cyberattacks against the United States. Protecting North Carolina from cyber threats is vital to ensuring the safety, security, privacy, and success of our state and its people.” North Carolina has also banned WeChat, another China-based social media app.
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