MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Over the past month, there has been a growing push by Republican-run states and legislators to ban the social media platform TikTok on government devices — some looking for an all-out ban.
U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-8th District, along with other notable Republicans have urged Evers in a letter to ban TikTok on government phones and devices. Evers was asked if he has looked into their concerns.
“Certainly, and we have even before we received the letter from Rep. Gallagher,” said Evers. “We communicate regularly with the FBI and Wisconsin Emergency Management. They’re our go-to people on this issue and so we’re continuing that conversation, and we’ll be making some decision in the very near future.”
The FBI has acknowledged “national security concerns” about the U.S. operations of the China-based TikTok. It warns that the Chinese government could potentially use the video-sharing app to influence American users or control their devices.
“I just have to put one thing into context: The number of people that work for the state of Wisconsin that have access to TikTok, I could probably count on two hands,” said Evers. “And, so, this isn’t a widespread application that is used. But to make a long story short, we’re investigating this with the experts from the FBI and our emergency management and should have a decision in the near future.”
Several Republican-led states had already imposed bans on TikTok use on government devices, but Evers had not imposed any such ban.
Evers says what the experts tell him will determine whether he moves forward with a ban on government devices.
