USDA: TikTok banned on USDA devices

On Dec. 14, 2022, Congress passed into law the No TikTok on Government Devices Act (117 - S.1143), requiring removal of the social media video application TikTok from all federal devices and systems. The TikTok application presents risks to sensitive government data.

On Feb. 27, 2023, the Office of Management and Budget issued Memorandum M-23-13, "No TikTok on Government Devices" Implementation Guidance, providing USDA instruction and deadline information for the removal of TikTok from USDA devices and systems.

Effective no later than March 29, 2023, all USDA agencies and staff offices must (a) identify and remove the presence of TikTok from USDA devices and systems; and (b) adjust contracts to ensure contractors also eliminate the use of TikTok on devices and systems utilized as part of their work.

The social networking application TikTok, and any subsequent application or service developed, provided or owned by ByteDance Limited that has the same functionality and purpose of TikTok, is prohibited on USDA devices and systems.

Limited exceptions apply to law enforcement activities, national security interests and activities, and security research, but must be exclusive to specific USDA programs or operational activities, documented and approved.