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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><img width="624" height="147" style="width:6.5in;height:1.5333in" id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image001.png@01D90FE2.89D4A3E0" alt="Graphical user interface, text
Description automatically generated"></span><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">December 14, 2022
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">Gov. Little fights communist China security threat with new ban on TikTok<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">Boise, Idaho – Gov. Brad Little
<a href="https://gov.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/eo-2022-06.pdf">issued an executive order today</a> banning TikTok on state-issued devices and networks to protect Idahoans from security threats posed by the communist Chinese government.
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">“The communist Chinese government can use TikTok to collect critical information from our state and federal government, and we are taking this step to protect Idahoans and Americans
from the sinister motives of a foreign government that does not share our values and seeks to weaken and manipulate our country,”</span></b><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"> Governor Little said.
<b>“This new ban to eliminate TikTok from state-issued devices and networks will help protect national security and Idahoans’ data.”</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">The FBI recently warned about the national security threat presented by the Chinese government, which can control TikTok’s central algorithm allowing access to state and federal operations
in the United States for espionage purposes. The U.S. government already has prohibited the use of TikTok on devices issued by the federal government.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">The Governor’s executive order prohibits downloading the TikTok app or otherwise accessing the TikTok website on state issued devices, including cell phones, laptops, tablets, or any other
device that connects to the internet. The Idaho Office of Information Technology Services will block TikTok from being accessed on state devices and state networks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">Gov. Little’s action puts Idaho in line with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, and a number of other states across the nation that have taken
action to protect citizen data from communist China threats.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">“I also urge Congress to take action to protect Americans. Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi have had complete control of Congress for two years and haven’t passed anything to address this
national security threat,”</span></b><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"> Gov. Little added.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">Gov. Little has made Idahoans’ security a top priority and has been
</span><a href="https://gov.idaho.gov/pressrelease/election-security-other-recommendations-outlined-in-new-cybersecurity-task-force-report/"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">working to implement recommendations from his Cybersecurity Task Force</span></a><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">
to make our citizens, businesses, and government more resilient to cyber-attacks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"># # #<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">Please DO NOT REPLY to this message. For press inquiries only, contact the Governor’s press office at (208) 854-3015 or e-mail
</span></i><a href="mailto:Madison.Hardy@gov.idaho.gov"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">Madison.Hardy@gov.idaho.gov</span></i></a><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">.
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">To unsubscribe from these announcements, send an e-mail to
</span></i><a href="mailto:news@gov.idaho.gov"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">news@gov.idaho.gov</span></i></a><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">.</span></i><o:p></o:p></p>
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