North Dakota bans TikTok for many state-owned devices

(Fargo, ND) -- North Dakota's governor is banning a popular social media app that has ties to China.

The social media app TikTok is no longer allowed on state-owned devices issued by North Dakota executive branch agencies. Governor Doug Burgum signed an executive order enacting the ban yesterday. The governor cited national security concerns with the Chinese company.

"Protecting citizens’ data is our top priority, and our IT professionals have determined, in consultation with federal officials, that TikTok raises multiple flags in terms of the amount of data it collects and how that data may be shared with and used by the Chinese government,” Burgum said. “Reducing this security risk is the right thing to do, and we would offer NDIT’s support to assist and advise any partner entities that wish to pursue similar measures.”

Governors across The United States in South Dakota, Iowa, Alabama, Maryland, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah have also taken the same step. You can learn more about the executive order signed by Governor Burgum by clicking here.