Missouri Governor says there is no need to ban TikTok despite rising concerns

With nation wide concern mounting over the use of TikTok as Chinese spyware many GOP members are calling for bans on the app.

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson recently signed and executive order banning it from all government devices in Arkansas and Missouri US Senator Josh Hawley has made similar calls. But Missouri Governor Mike Parson does not share the same concern with this GOP counterparts. Parson and his staff argued there are already enough limitations to the apps usage,

“In Missouri, TikTok is already not allowed to be downloaded on state phones nor do any state phones have it,” spokeswoman Kelli Jones said.

Jones went on to note that government employees’ social media app downloads are closely monitored and broadly not allowed unless it pertains directly to their job.

“Applications are allowed on state team member’s work devices if it allows them to perform and fulfill their job duties. However, the Office of Cyber Security monitors for any potentially malicious downloads that could compromise and harm the state network,” said Chris Moreland the Office of Administration spokesman.

But Parson’s Republican colleagues aren’t satisfied with that answer.

“TikTok is a Trojan Horse for the Chinese Communist Party. It’s a major security risk to the United States, and until it is forced to sever ties with China completely, it has no place on government devices,” Hawley said in a statement.