Johnson County restricts TikTok on government networks

Starting at 5 p.m. Friday, the curtain will come down on TikTok for those using Johnson County’s guest or staff networks at county buildings.

Bill Nixon, the county’s director of technology and innovation, announced that due to security concerns, the popular video-sharing app will no longer be available as a social media diversion for people logged into the JoCo network.

States and counties have taken action against TikTok

In doing so, the county joins 25 states — including Kansas — and many other counties that have taken similar measures.

Federal officials have warned that users’ personal data could easily be collected and used by the Chinese government in ways that don’t run afoul of US privacy laws.

TikTok was developed in China and has been at the center of growing concerns about data collection. The FBI recently called him a national security risk.

JoCo’s order mostly affects county employees

Nixon said the county began investigating the app last July and decided to cut off access to its networks after the federal and state governments began doing the same.

The ban mostly affects employees working on the county network, but it is an exception for those who have a business need for access.

Law enforcement agencies can still use TikTok to post news, Nixon said, although the sheriff’s office is investigating whether to start using a different platform.

Visitors may also be involved in county buildings

Visitors to county buildings would notice the ban if, for example, they tried to watch TikTok videos while logged into the county network as a guest.

But visitors who don’t log in and use their own mobile data can still see the app.

However, libraries and their patrons would still have unhindered access, as well as some places with business needs, such as a group home.

This is an unusual move

The county has blocked some other websites on a day-to-day basis for security reasons, but TikTok is much more widely known and used, Nixon said.

“You don’t usually get to that level,” Nixon said.

The ban was created administratively and did not require the vote of the county committee.

Roxie Hammill is a freelance journalist who writes frequently for the Post and other publications in the Kansas City area. She can be reached at [email protected]