Georgia Senate leadership is throwing high praises at one of its own for the introduction of legislation that would ban the use of social media platforms influenced or controlled by “foreign adversaries” like the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Russian Federation on state devices. Majority Caucus Chairman Jason Anavitarte, R-Dallas, introduced Senate Bill 93 Friday, saying that time is up for TikTok.
“This shouldn’t be a controversial piece of legislation,” said Anavitarte. “Numerous cyber security and national intelligence officials have identified TikTok as a significant espionage threat. The federal government is considering legislation that will ban TikTok nationwide and we will do our part in Georgia.
“Even without the malware concerns, government employees and students shouldn’t be using social media sites like TikTok while they are at work and school.”
Georgia recently joined a growing list of Republican-led states banning TikTok from state-owned phones and laptops this past December when Gov. Brian Kemp ordered a ban on the use of TikTok on state devices. Friday, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones praised Anavitarte for following Kemp’s leadership on this.
“I commend Senator Anavitarte for bringing this legislation forward to build on the work of Governor Kemp to ensure that state devices and the work of our employees won’t be compromised,” said Jones. “Strengthening Georgia’s cybersecurity policy is critical, and I look forward to Senate Bill 93 passing quickly and moving through the process.”
SB 93 codifies the policy underlying Gov. Kemp’s order to prohibit TikTok, Telegram, WeChat, and other national security software threats on state owned computers and devices. It will also prohibit these applications on state devices in the legislative and judicial branches, as well as K-12 schools in Georgia.
“This is a bold step to ensure our state’s technological infrastructure is safe and secure,” said Sen. John Kennedy (R-Macon), President Pro Tempore of the Senate. “Without taking action, we risk the Communist Party of China and other foreign adversaries using social media platforms like TikTok, WeChat, and others to harvest data held by the state. I applaud Senator Anavitarte’s initiative to protect our state and Governor Kemp for his work to end the use of these applications in the executive branch. Through this bill, we will strengthen the cybersecurity of our state entities and ensure Georgians are protected from unsolicited spying by those that want to do us harm.”
The legislation calls on the director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to update the list of foreign adversaries whenever the federal government identifies additional foreign actors attempting to do harm to our national security. Georgians who are willing to accept the risk of CCP and other foreign-controlled malware are free to continue to use TikTok and other applications, Anavitarte explained. This legislation will only apply to state employees and elementary and secondary students using state-owned devices in Georgia public schools.
“I appreciate Senator Anavitarte’s leadership on this legislation. Foreign adversaries are a significant threat, and it is of critical importance that we protect the private data of Georgia’s citizens and the information technology infrastructure on which our schools and government agencies depend on to operate effectively and efficiently,” said Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega.
The legislation states that: “This state has a fundamental interest in ensuring the safety, security, and general welfare of the government and the public, including maintaining a strong and robust cybersecurity infrastructure and protecting the security and integrity of the state government’s data.
“This state has a duty to take action to preserve the safety and security of this state and the people and businesses of this state against cyberthreats from foreign adversaries.”
