The current state of affairs in America can no longer be ignored. It has become obvious that a major shift is needed if our nation is to reach its potential, and the many responsible leaders who are not motivated by partisan or ideological interests are taking decisive action. Thirty governors across the country have stepped up to send a clear message: enough is enough. This bold demonstration of leadership has the potential to spark genuine change.
As the Chinese government has been alleged to have access to the data of its citizens through TikTok, it raises serious questions about how much protection our own government can provide from a potential invasion of privacy. 29 U.S states have taken a stand against this by banning TikTok from all devices used by its employees, especially in terms of sensitive and classified information. Maine made news recently when it became the 29th state to join this effort intended to protect the data of its workers, and now Texas and Greg Abbot have made an announcement to become the 30th state to make legislation to ban the app on government Devices.
The Epoch Times reports, in response to the concern, many states have banned TikTok on government cell phones, laptops, and tablets, citing the risk of the CCP accessing sensitive information. Maine became the 29th state to ban TikTok from government employees’ devices at the end of January.
Abbott wants to make Texas the 30th state to pass such a law.
In a statement on Feb. 6, Texas’ governor announced the app would be banned from government devices.
Abbott said, “The security risks associated with the use of TikTok on devices used to conduct the important business of our state must not be underestimated or ignored.”
This ban appears to be part of a more comprehensive plan than just banning TIKTOK.
While states continue to oppose TikTok, some federal lawmakers are looking for a national solution.
A law passed by Congress on Dec. 23, 2022, prohibits TikTok’s use on government devices, matching state policies already in place.
A month after the passage of that bill, Sen. Josh Hawley introduced another bill prohibiting the app’s distribution in the United States.
Young people, he said, need the ban not only to protect their privacy but also to maintain their health.
The trajectory of this past week has been illuminating, to say the least. We have seen firsthand how far China’s Communist Party is willing to go in order to further their own interests and weaken our own. States should be praised for finally taking the threat posed by suspicious apps seriously, but it would have been more effective if more parents had taken the initiative from the very beginning. After all, their children are the most vulnerable group when it comes to these malicious apps and their effects can stay with them for life. Now that we fully understand what is at stake if we do not take a stand and fight back against CCP infiltration, we must continue to act swiftly.
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