New York prohibits TikTok on government-owned devices for security concerns

TikTok was prohibited on government-owned smartphones in New York due to security concerns, following other American cities and states that have imposed similar limitations on the short video sharing app. U.S. legislators have been calling more frequently for a statewide ban on the app due to concerns about potential Chinese government influence. 

TikTok, which is used by more than 150 million Americans and is owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, has faced growing calls from U.S. lawmakers for a nationwide ban over concerns about possible Chinese government influence. 

New York City agencies are required to remove the app within 30 days and employees will lose access to the app and its website on city-owned devices and networks. New York State had already banned TikTok on state-issued mobile devices. 

TikTok said it "has not shared, and would not share, U.S. user data with the Chinese government, and has taken substantial measures to protect the privacy and security of TikTok users." 

Top U.S. security officials including FBI Director Christopher Wray and CIA Director William Burns have said TikTok poses a threat. Wray said in March that China's government could use TikTok to control software on millions of devices and drive narratives to divide Americans, adding the app "screams" of national security concerns. 

Many U.S. states and cities have restricted TikTok on government devices. Montana recently passed a bill banning the app across the state, a rule set to go into effect on Jan. 1 and being challenged legally.