Wisconsin Governor Signs Order To Ban TikTok From State Devices

WISCONSIN — The Governor of Wisconsin on Thursday signed an order that bans TikTok from state devices amid concerns that the technology could pose cybersecurity threats.

Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, signed order No. 184 after members of his administration met with federal defense agencies in recent months. Evers announced the ban in an interview with WISN 12 News and put out a news release on Thursday.

“In the digital age, defending our state’s technology and cybersecurity infrastructure and protecting digital privacy have to be a top priority for us as a state,” said Evers in the release. “I trust the professionals who work in this field, and it was important for me to consult with and get advice from experts in law enforcement, cybersecurity, and counterintelligence, including the information technology experts working within DOA-DET, to make the best decision to protect state technologies, and ultimately, the people of Wisconsin."

“New and evolving technologies will continue to present risks to privacy, safety, and security, and this order ensures we will continue to be vigilant in monitoring these technologies while trusting the advice of these experts on evolving cybersecurity issues facing our state,” Evers said.

Besides the TikTok ban on state devices, the order directs the state Department of Administration to bar other certain foreign technologies from being used on state-issued devices such as computers, tablets, and phones. The order also said the DOA should continually reevaluate applications that may pose a risk, and gives the agency the legal authority to impose and mandate cybersecurity standards on agencies of the executive branch.

Although Evers signed the order, he noted in a news release that he has never maintained an official TikTok account on any state device.

Some exceptions to the rule could be granted, such as when law enforcement may need to gather evidence from the app. Further, the order does not apply to the legislative or judicial branches.

Read a full copy of Evers' order online.