Information

Type: Deliberation

Department: IT - Information Technology

Directors' Update: Jan. 11, 2023

Business Meeting: Jan. 17, 2023

Summary:

Prohibiting the download, use, and access of TikTok on Lewis County electronic devices and on Lewis County networks

Publications:

Cover Letter To:

Additional Copies To:

Resolution

WHEREAS, Maintaining the cybersecurity of Lewis County is necessary to provide safe and reliable services; and

WHEREAS, The social media platform, TikTok, has over 135 million users in the United States and is owned by Chinese company ByteDance; and

WHEREAS, ByteDance may gain control of crucial user information stored on mobile devices through TikTok's broad data collection policies, including internet browsing data, keystrokes, and location information, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has warned these practices may be used to influence Americans or control or compromise software on millions of devices; and

WHEREAS, TikTok appears to have the potential ability in its application coding to record users keystrokes while accessing their software from an internet browser from other open browser tabs, even if they are not TikTok, which could compromise passwords and other critical information accessed by Lewis County staff; and

WHEREAS, Several government entities, inlcuding the United States Military and the Transportation Security Administration have banned downloading or using TikTok or visiting the TikTok website on government-issued devices.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED Lewis County shall prohibit access to download or use the TikTok application or visit the TikTok website on government-issued devices, including county-issued cell phones, laptops, or any device capable of internet connectivity; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED Lewis County shall adopt the attached policy to be incorporated into the Lewis County Employee Handbook and Technology Policies.

DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 17th day of January, 2023.