TikTok banned at the University of Houston

Starting January 3, 2025, the school will “start blocking” the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform, as well as other banned technologies and applications, according to an agreement. decree by Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX).

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In the school announcementhe cited Abbott’s December 2022 executive order on the issue and “additional clarification” provided by the July 2023 executive order. Texas Government Code 620.

Code 620 directed the Texas Department of Information Resources to develop a model policy, which it released on November 20.

The decision to ban TikTok on school networks fell two days before the Supreme Court agreed to hear the platform’s legal challenge to a law passed in April requiring Related to the CCP parent company ByteDance must sell to a US owner or close its doors completely.

ByteDance argues that the law violates the First Amendment.

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After Abbott’s executive order, Texas university employees were forbidden to use TikTok on school-owned and operated devices, including at the University of Houston. The new policy extends to anyone connected to the school’s Wi-Fi network.

Other programs that will be forbidden as of January include Kaspersky, a Russian antivirus software, WeChat, a Chinese messaging app, and other foreign platforms. Hardware and equipment from some foreign companies will also be banned, including Chinese companies Huawei Technologies, ZTE Corporation and Dahua Technology.

Many other schools outside of Texas have also banned TikTok from their networks or school-owned devices, including Clemson UniversityAuburn University and the University of Oklahoma.

During a press conference On the same day that UH announced its ban, President-elect Donald Trump said he would “take a look at TikTok” in light of the impending national ban. He met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Monday.

Trump said he has “a warm place in my heart for TikTok” because of the support he received among young voters.

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“Some say TikTok had something to do with it,” Trump added. “TikTok has had an impact.”

THE Washington Examiner has contacted the University of Houston for comment.