For several days, computers and devices from certain academic institutions have had their access to TikTok blocked. The United States continues to show its distrust of the Chinese social network.
It will now be difficult for some American students to spend their break on TikTok. Several universities have decided to cut off access to the Chinese social network for anyone using the local wifi network or the computers of the establishment, as noted Le Figaro.
This wave of prohibition extends today in Oklahoma and Georgia but could also soon arrive in Alabama, where the university of Auburn, explains on his website “monitor developments related to access to TikTok”, but has not yet made a decision.
26 universities in Georgia no longer have access to the social network
But on the side of the University of Oklahoma, the decisions are more firm: “no employee or student of the university will be able to access TikTok on devices owned or operated by the university, including on the university’s wired and wireless networks,” university vice president David Horton said in an email.
“University administration TikTok accounts should be removed and alternative platforms should be used,” added David Horton.
Same story on the side of Georgia, where Governor Brian Kemp has decided to ban TikTok, WeChat (Chinese messaging service) but also Telegram from the phones and computers of the 26 universities in the state, according to the AP agency.
“Hasty policies” according to TikTok
TikTok for its part, reacted via one of its spokespersons on CNN. She regrets that the states concerned rely on “unfounded lies” with regard to TikTok.
“We are disappointed that so many states have jumped on the political bandwagon of establishing policies that will do nothing to advance cybersecurity in those states,” said Jamal Brown.
The spokesperson also laments the consequences of these “rushed policies” on universities and students, who he says will no longer be able to share information, recruit and create communities.
TikTok soon banned from all US smartphones?
These multiple decisions are in line with the decisions taken in recent days by the American administrations. A few days ago, the House of Representatives (US equivalent of the National Assembly) also decided to ban TikTok from all professional devices of its employees.
The desire for a general ban on TikTok in the United States thus continues to gain ground. The United States considers that TikTok represents a major threat to the country and the safety of the inhabitants, in particular because of the breaches of the social network concerning data protection.
Some members of congress have even tabled a proposal from afar to ban the Chinese social network on all American smartphones. With a strict Constitution and more than 135 million subscribers in the country, it is difficult to imagine such a project being approved.
