UW–Madison Compliance with UW System TikTok Restrictions

This message is intended for those who have installed the TikTok app on a university-owned phone, tablet, or computer (Mac, Windows, iOS, iPad OS, Android, tablet, and other devices). All others may disregard. 

UW System administration, chancellors, and campus technology and communications leaders have been in robust conversation about cybersecurity in general, and more specifically about the TikTok app on university-issued devices including phones, tablets, and computers (Mac, Windows, iOS, iPad OS, Android, tablets, and other devices). We have learned much about the potential risks to national, state, and institutional cybersecurity — and just as importantly, the risks to our personal information security.

UW System president Jay Rothman has instructed all UW campuses to ensure the removal of any installation of the TikTok app from university-owned devices (Mac, Windows, iOS, iPad OS, Android, tablet, and other devices). Complying with this directive requires the following:

  • UW–Madison employees, regardless of full- or part-time or hourly status, who had the TikTok app installed on a university-owned device had to uninstall the app by the end of the day Thursday, March 2, 2023. On Friday, March 3, 2023, the Division of Information Technology and local IT units removed the TikTok app from any remaining managed devices.
  • *Note that an exemption is allowed for university-owned devices used as part of an active academic research project where the TikTok app is part of the project. Those individuals may continue to use the TikTok app on university-issued devices. To seek an academic research exemption, please contact cybersecurity@cio.wisc.edu.
  • Starting Friday, March 3, 2023, the Division of Information Technology and local IT units implemented a technical solution that blocks the future use and installation of the TikTok app on university-managed devices.

The policy and other related resources are available for review at Policy UW-4147: Prohibition on a TikTok (ByteDance) Covered Application.

FAQs

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The directive from UW System president Rothman is a response to Gov. Evers’s executive order #184 and federal and state lawmakers’ concerns about cybersecurity risks.

All UW–Madison employees who have the TikTok app installed on a university-owned device must be in compliance with the ban by end of day on March 2, 2023.

All UW–Madison employees, inclusive of all employee classes (faculty, academic staff, university staff, graduate assistants, and student hourly employees), unless you have a registered academic research exemption. The directive only prohibits the use of the TikTok app on university-owned devices (Mac, Windows, iOS, iPad OS, Android, tablet, and other devices).

No. The directive only prohibits the use of the TikTok app on university-owned devices (Mac, Windows, iOS, iPad OS, Android, tablet, and other devices).

Yes. The UW System directive does not restrict institutions or subunits from operating official accounts on the platform. The directive only prohibits the use of the TikTok app on university-owned devices (Mac, Windows, iOS, iPad OS, Android, tablet, and other devices).

The directive prohibits the use of the TikTok app on university-owned devices (Mac, Windows, iOS, iPad OS, Android, tablet, and other devices). However, you may use an internet browser on a university-owned computer to access the TikTok website.

Concerns have been raised about safety and security of TikTok. No internet-based app or service is completely free of risk. However, users may lower their risk by following best IT security practices.

Best practices for use of TikTok on a personally owned device includes:

  • Using a password for your TikTok account separate from other accounts.
  • Register for TikTok with a unique email address not used for other matters.
  • Keep the TikTok app updated to take advantage of the latest security patches.
  • Monitor/minimize permissions granted when installing TikTok (access to contact lists, camera, microphone, device storage, etc.).

Yes. The UW System directive does not ban institutions or subunits from directly advertising on TikTok, or indirectly through a vendor. The directive only prohibits the use of the TikTok app on university-owned devices (Mac, Windows, iOS, iPad OS, Android, tablet and other devices).

It is your responsibility to have the TikTok app removed from this device by end of day March 2, 2023, unless being used as part of an active academic research project that has obtained an exemption through the university’s official approval process.

UW System has convened a working group with representation from each university to make recommendations, review progress, and investigate use of other technologies banned in Executive Order 184. Additional updates and information will be forthcoming.

Please contact cybersecurity@cio.wisc.edu for assistance with your situation.