Despite Congress and most states banning the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok on government-issued devices, Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made excuses on Sunday for using the app.
Whitmer was questioned by CNN’s Jake Tapper on her continued use of the app following concerns about data privacy sparked legislation across the country.
Whitmer, however, confessed that young people need to recognize that the app is not a reliable information source when pressed again by Tapper about its negative effects on Americans’ mental health.
Over 190,000 people follow Whitmer’s official TikTok account.
Following her appearance on CNN, many Twitter users slammed Whitmer for her continued use of the app, with some arguing that her claim of the app being on a “separate device” sounded sketchy.
One Twitter user commented, “Does anyone believe they designated a device for TikTok? Really, I have a separate device for all my apps. Hard to keep track of 35 phones but I feel safe.”
In response to her claim that the app is a “communication tool,” another Twitter user added, “There are other ways to communicate.”
State legislatures and governors have banned the app from state-owned devices in 32 of 50 states. Similar bills are being proposed in four other states.
Late last year, Congress included a provision banning the app from federal government devices in the $1.7 trillion omnibus budget bill. Several government leaders have cited the app’s excessive data permission requests and security risks.
All in all, Whitmer’s refusal to give up tiktok is childish. Several states have issued legislation banning the app and the national sentiment is that it should be given up – yet Whitmer continues to make excuses for why she’s using it. The bottom line is this – National security should always come first despite any added conveniences that comes with having the popular app installed.
