(Reuters) – The states of Alabama and Utah on Wednesday banned the use of the Chinese video-sharing app TikTok on state government devices and computer networks.
citing national security concerns.
FBI Director Wray warned last month that the Chinese government could use TikTok to control U.S. user information and recommendation algorithms.
“Unsettlingly, TikTok collects a large amount of data, much of which has absolutely nothing to do with the app’s intended purpose of video sharing,” Alabama Governor Ivey said in a statement.
A TikTok spokesperson said: “It is disappointing that so many states continue to implement policies based on unsubstantiated political misinformation.”
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Brendan Carr tweeted on Wednesday that at least nine states had introduced measures against TikTok “based on serious security threats.”
States such as Texas, Maryland and South Dakota have banned TikTok on state government devices.