Use of TikTok, WeChat, other apps prohibited for employees on university network.

Summary

A new state law in Virginia prohibits employee and independent contractor access to certain apps on state-owned wireless networks and university-owned devices.

Full Description

A new state law is requiring William & Mary to prohibit employee and independent contractor access to TikTok, WeChat and other applications effective July 1, 2023. After this date, applications owned by the companies ByteDance and Tencent will no longer be permitted on the university's network (including VIMS) and university-owned devices.

W&M-sponsored TikTok accounts may not be used in any manner after July 1, 2023. Social media managers are advised not to delete accounts, but to stop using them. This will protect the accounts from being spoofed in the future.

Students, faculty and staff will still be able to access these apps on a personal device via cellular services or an off-campus network connection.

Summary of restrictions

Use of TikTok by employees and independent contractors is prohibited on the W&M network and on university-owned devices effective July 1, 2023.
TikTok is still accessible on campus from a personal device and on a personal/outside network.
The Virginia General Assembly and Governor enacted a new law in 2023 that requires all state employees to stop using TikTok and other applications developed or owned by ByteDance and Tencent on state-issued devices or state-maintained networks.
In addition to TikTok, the following applications are restricted:
- From ByteDance: Capcut, Hypic and ULike
- From Tencent: WeChat, WeCom, Tencent QQ, QQmail, Tencent Video and Tencent Music
- Other apps may also be included

Questions?

Please reach out to the Technology Support Center with any additional questions at support@wm.edu or 757-221-HELP.