Public universities nationwide in the last month have moved to restrict access to the popular social media app TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, as their state legislatures have banned the use of the app on government-owned devices and networks.
Boise State and Idaho State universities recently notified faculty and students that the schools are required to block access to TikTok on campus internet networks, Idaho Statesman reported. Faculty and students may still access the app using personal cellular data.
The College Fix contacted Boise State for comment, and Director of Media Relations Mike Sharp replied by forwarding a university email announcement to all campus affiliates. The email stated the restriction of TikTok on university devices and WiFi networks was in response to a Dec. 14 executive order by Republican Gov. Brad Little.
www.thecollegefix.com/public-universities-across-the-country-ban-ccp-influenced-tiktok/
A new report suggests the Biden administration repeatedly entertained lobbyists for the Communist Chinese Party-tied TikTok during his time in office.
The Washington Examiner reported Monday that TikTok and ByteDance, the app’s parent company, have made concentrated efforts to influence the Biden administration amid concerns the app shares user information with the Chinese Communist Party. Specifically, the the lobbyists “visited the White House at least eight times between July 2021 and August 2022,” according to White House logs reviewed by the Examiner. The newspaper summarized that the logs provided a “window into how the Chinese government-linked social media operation has gained influence in Washington.”
The report comes as lawmakers continue to discuss legislation against the app.