The House of Representatives on Tuesday ordered the immediate removal of the social networking app TikTok from its devices, according to an email obtained by Fox News.
In an email, House Chief Executive Catherine L. Spinder wrote a letter notifying staff and lawmakers that TikTok was banned “from all House-controlled devices.” The email states that the policy will take effect “immediately.”
The message comes after Congress included a bill banning TikTok from executive branch devices in a 4,000-plus page omnibus package passed last week.
The House is now trying to align its policy with the executive branch’s requirements contained in the law.
The email states that The Office of Cybersecurity has “determined that the TikTok mobile application poses a high risk to users due to numerous security risks.”
“For background, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 requires executive brand agencies to begin removing social networking service TikTok, or successor applications or services developed or offered by ByteDance Limited,” the email said. said. “The House Committee of Trustees has authorized the Cybersecurity Agency to implement a similar policy for the U.S. House of Representatives.”
ByteDance Limited is the Chinese parent company of TikTok.
Omnibus’ measure, known as the No TikTok on Government Devices Act, prohibits the use of social media apps on government-issued devices.
TIKTOK Ban on Government Devices Included in Massive Omnibus Bill
Strongly pushed by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Senators Marco Rubio (Rep.), Sen. Rick Scott (Rep.), Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Mo.) introduced with
KARINE JEAN-PIERRE says “we have to be very careful” when discussing a bill to ban TIKTOK from government devices.
“Within 60 days from the date of enactment of this act, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall establish standards and guidelines for government agencies requiring removal of covered applications from information technology,” the bill states. I’m here.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin Bans TIKTOK and WECHAT on National Networks and Technology
While the bill would open up “exceptions for law enforcement activities, national security interests and activities, and security researchers,” for uses that fall under these exceptions, agencies would have “risk mitigation measures for such uses.” “Measures should be developed and documented,” he said.
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Fox News’ Ronn Blitzer contributed to this report.