RALEIGH, N.C. — Governor Roy Cooper signed an executive order prohibiting the use of applications and websites such as TikTok, WeChat and other systems that may pose a cybersecurity risk on state devices.
What You Need To Know
- Governor Roy Cooper signed an executive order prohibiting the use of certain applications and websites on state devices
- The order directs the state chief information officer (CIO) and the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) to develop a policy within 14 days that prohibits the use of TikTok, WeChat and other applications
- The NCDIT policy will be able to be updated in the future if additional high-risk applications and websites are identified by state cybersecurity experts
The order directs Jim Weaver, the state chief information officer (CIO), and North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) to develop a policy within 14 days
“It’s important for us to protect state information technology from foreign countries that have actively participated in cyberattacks against the United States,” Cooper said. “Protecting North Carolina from cyber threats is vital to ensuring the safety, security, privacy and success of our state and its people.”
Cybersecurity professionals have identified TikTok and WeChat as high-risk applications due to their lack of sufficient privacy controls and connections to countries that sponsor or support cyberattacks against the United States.
Several government systems and multiple branches of the United States Military, the Transportation Security Administration and other states have already banned TikTok, WeChat and other applications on federal and state government information technology.
Related: U.S. House, states step up TikTok bans on government devices
“NCDIT’s top priority is the security and protection of the state’s IT systems, data, and assets,” the NCDIT said.
“Gov. Cooper’s executive order is essential to this critical work,” Weaver said.
To read more on the executive order, click here.