Anti-TikTok/China Surveillance Tech Ban Model Policy Posted for State and Local Governments

Image: Logo Texas Department of Information Resources
Image: DIR

The Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) on Friday posted (announcement) a Model Covered Applications and Prohibited Technology Policy that state and local governments can approve or modify to meet the state-law requirement (SB1893/regular session) to adopt their own policy by Nov. 20, 2024.

  • Note: SB1893 requires all state agencies and political subdivisions to adopt a policy that prohibits the installation and use of certain social media applications or services (such as TikTok and its successor ByteDance Ltd.) that pose a potential security risk to the state on any device owned or leased by the governmental entity — and requires the removal of these applications and services from those devices. An exception is made for law enforcement purposes.

    Gov. Abbott‘s 2022 directive (Texas Tribune) banning TikTok/ByteDance on devices used to conduct state business remains in place, the announcement added.

The model policy (and related info) is posted here, along with a list of prohibited software, applications and developers.