KY House bill would ban TikTok on state devices, networks

Frankfort, Ky.—HB 124, a recently filed bill in the Kentucky State Legislature would ban the social networking service TikTok on all state-government issued devices and networks. Under the new proposal, legislators would even be prohibited from using the popular social network to communicate with constituents while connected to their office’s wifi on their personal device.

Representatives S. Sharp, D. Bentley, R. Heath, W. Thomas, and B. Wesley, all Republicans, sponsored the bill. Arguments for banning TikTok in the US, which has become a hot topic amongst conservatives lately, have included concerns about security, privacy, and the potential for TikTok to be used as a tool for Chinese government censorship and surveillance. Some have also argued that TikTok’s parent company, Chinese tech giant ByteDance, could be forced to hand over user data to the Chinese government, which could potentially be used to target US citizens.

Arguments against banning TikTok in the US have included the fact that TikTok is a popular and widely-used app, and that a ban could have negative consequences for the millions of users who rely on it for entertainment, communication, and creative expression. There have also been concerns about the potential for a TikTok ban to have negative impacts on free speech and internet freedom. Others have pointed out that TikTok has taken steps to address national security concerns, such as by setting up a “transparency center” in the US and hiring an American CEO.

Rep. Attica Scott (D-Louisville) weighed in on the proposal on social media.

https://lexingtonky.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/atticascottky-reel-CnICqDPqaHx.mp4

@atticascottky

I hosted a TikTok live about HB 124 which would ban TikTok in Kentucky. Here’s how you can take action:

⏰visit legislature.ky.gov to track HB 124

⏰on that site you can find your legislator

⏰you can 📞 + 📧 your legislator from there

⏰share this reel to educate folks about HB 124

⏰follow me on TikTok (atticascottky) for updates