UVA bans TikTok and WeChat in new IT policy.
The University of Virginia Bans Social Media Apps on School Networks
The University of Virginia has joined the growing list of universities taking action to protect their networks by banning certain social media apps. In an email sent out on Friday, UVA’s community was notified of the new policy.
According to the updated UVA IT policy, all employees, agents, contractors, non-student users, and university IT specialists are now prohibited from accessing, downloading, or using any applications or websites developed by ByteDance Ltd. or Tencent Holdings Ltd.
The Newly Banned Apps
The banned apps at UVA now include popular platforms such as TikTok, WeChat, Helo, Lark, and Inked.
Failure to comply with the app ban will result in disciplinary action for university employees.
This move aligns with Virginia law and aims to protect state government devices and wireless networks from potential infiltration and cybersecurity threats. Governor Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) emphasized the importance of safeguarding data and cybersecurity in his statement.
It’s worth noting that the ban applies to all employee devices, including personal devices with access to the university’s wireless internet.
The University of Virginia is not alone in implementing these restrictions. Many public universities, including Auburn University, Clemson University, and the University of Florida, have also taken steps to block Chinese-owned apps from their networks.
Universities have long been targeted by espionage and are vulnerable to IT attacks. In 2019, Chinese hackers targeted 27 U.S. universities to gather intelligence on sensitive U.S. Navy data, according to cybersecurity firm iDefense and security vendor FireEye.
Protecting the integrity of university networks is crucial, and these measures are part of a broader effort to ensure the cybersecurity of educational institutions.
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