Florida’s Largest Public Universities Ban TikTok

Other apps included in the ban are Tencent QQ, WeChat, VKontakte, Kaspersky, and Fizz.

Students at the state’s largest universities are no longer allowed to access TikTok while using school-owned devices or campus Wi-Fi.

Among the state institutions that have implemented the ban are University of Florida, Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University, New College, and University of South Florida. 

The decision comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis introduced the Digital Bill of Rights in February, and the State University System Board of Governors adopted an emergency regulation on March 29.

DeSantis’ legislation, which is still being considered by lawmakers, would ban “the use of TikTok and other social media platforms tied to China and other foreign countries of concern on all government devices and bans the access of such platforms through Internet services provided by any university, public school or other government office.”

RELATED: On DeSantis Turf, California Gov. Gavin Newsom Blasts Conservative Education Push

A memo from New College, one of the latest institutions to implement the ban, states: “By using the app, you are agreeing to allow TikTok to collect sensitive information such as keystroke patterns/rhythms and biometric identifiers such as facial recognition, fingerprints, and voice prints. The collection of this type of information far exceeds the standard collection of browsing history or device types that other social media providers collect.”

Other apps included in the ban are Tencent QQ, WeChat, VKontakte, Kaspersky, and Fizz.