Why Has TikTok Been Banned on UTexas Devices and Networks?

TikTok is a video-sharing service, accessed via a web browser or the TikTok app. On December 7, 2022, the Governor of the State of Texas, Greg Abbott, released a letter to State agencies outlining risks associated with TikTok usage, and stating, in part: 

• "Because of these threats, effective immediately, every state agency in Texas shall ban its officers and employees from downloading or using TikTok on any of its government-issued devices. This TikTok ban extends to all state-issued cell phones, laptops, tablets, desktop computers, and other devices capable of internet connectivity, and it must be strictly enforced by your agency’s IT department."

The University has responded with the following actions:

• TikTok is being removed from all state-issued devices (including university-owned cell phones, laptops, tablets and desktop computers). 
  
  
• TikTok access to the UT network is blocked, effective on January 17, 2022. This will affect all devices and users who access UT networks, including utexas, utexas-iot, utguest, eduroam, Resnet (student rooms in Residence Halls), and wired general network ports across UT buildings.

Further guidance will be published by UT's Department of Information Resources later this semester.

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TikTok Exceptions for Employees

Legitimate uses of TikTok to support university functions (e.g., law enforcement, any investigatory matters, academic research, etc.) will be considered, but you must request an exception through the UT Information Security Office.

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Additional Resources

For more information on the UTexas TikTok ban, please visit the links below: 

• University Compliance Services TikTok Removal Policy
  
  
• TikTok Removal and Records Retention Process
  
  
• Employee Only Exception Process - Business Justification Required
  
  
• TikTok Blocked on University Network

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What Errors Will I Receive Connecting to TikTok on a Browser Using UT Devices and Networks?

If you attempt to access TikTok.com from a browser, either from university-issued device or a personal device on a university network, you will receive the errors noted in the drop-down list below:

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What Errors Will I Receive Connecting to the TikTok App Using UT Networks?

If you attempt to access the TikTok app from a personal device on a university network, you will receive the errors noted the drop-down list below:

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