White House asks to remove TikTok from government devices

washington —

The White House set a 30-day deadline Monday for all federal agencies to remove the TikTok app from all government devices as Washington’s scrutiny of the Chinese-owned social media platform increases over security concerns.

The Office of Management and Budget called the move a “crucial step to address the risks that the app poses to sensitive government information.” Some agencies, including the Defense, Homeland Security, and State departments, have already implemented restrictions. The order states that the rest of the federal government agencies must do the same in the next 30 days.

The White House does not allow TikTok on its devices.

“The Biden-Harris administration has made a significant investment in defending our country’s digital infrastructure and preventing foreign adversaries from accessing American data,” said Chris DeRusha, the federal director of information security. “This guideline is part of the government’s ongoing commitment to secure our digital infrastructure and protect the security and privacy of the American people.”

Reuters was the first outlet to report on the guideline.

Congress passed the “No TikTok on Government Devices Act” in December as part of a radical government funding package. The initiative allows the use of the platform in certain cases, including for national security, law enforcement and investigative purposes.

“The TikTok ban on federal devices was passed in December without any deliberation, and unfortunately that stance has served as a guide for other governments globally. These restrictions are little more than politicking,” TikTok spokeswoman Brooke Oberwetter said Monday.

House Republicans are expected to advance a bill Tuesday that would give Biden the power to ban TikTok across the country. The bill, proposed by Rep. Mike McCaul, seeks to avoid challenges the government would face in court if it proceeds with sanctions against the social media company.