County restricts use of TikTok

Commission approves resolution banning app on county-owned devices

June 7, 2023 by Ben Pounds

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank and the County Commission have approved a resolution banning the use of the TikTok video-sharing program, which has Chinese connections, on county-owned devices.

“Access by the Chinese Communist Party to Americans’ personal information and data can pose security risks at the state, national and local levels,” the resolution, passed in May, stated.

TikTok is a popular way to share short homemade videos.

ByteDance Ltd. owns the app and has headquarters in China.

The resolution lays out the county’s concerns with TikTok, stating that it captures personal information of its users, such as location data and search histories.

Although the resolution does not state it, gathering information on users is common for other social media networks, too.

However, the resolution focuses on the risks of the company’s Chinese ties.

The resolution goes on to explain that China-based TikTok employees have access to U..S users’ information, and that 2017 Chinese legislation requires Chinese companies to share information with their government.

So, the resolution lays out that no Anderson County employee can download or use TikTok on any county-issued device.

People or entities contracting with the county also can’t download or use the app on county-owned or -leased devices.

The ordinance requires the county Information Technology Advisory Committee to “develop a policy and procedure to provide for public safety and cybersecurity exemptions related to TikTok usage.”

Frank said in an email that the policy does not affect Anderson County Schools, as they have a separate information technology system and set of policies.

The policy focuses on Anderson County employees and contractors, not all county citizens. Frank stated in an email, however, that TikTok will not be accessible to anyone using “county access or devices” such as at county libraries.

During the commission’s May meeting, First District Commissioner Tracy Wandell made the motion, and Fifth District Commissioner Robert McKamey seconded. Voting “yes” were commissioners Steven Verran, Aaron Wells, Shelley Vandagriff, Tim Isbel, Wandell, Shain Vowell, Joshua Anderson, McKamey, Robert Smallridge, Denise Palmer, Anthony Allen, Jerry White and Michael Foster.

Casting the sole “no” vote was Commissioner Sabra Beauchamp.

Tyler Mayes and Phil Yager were absent.