Information Technology Services

Network Access Changes

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed Senate Bill 834/House Bill 1445 into law last week. This new law “prohibits Tennessee public higher education institutions from allowing access to social media platforms operated or hosted by a company based in China on the institution’s network. The law applies to internet services provided by an institution through a hard-wired or wireless network connection and is effective immediately.”

This new law means that starting today, April 17, the university will begin the process to block TikTok access on our campus networks. There is no action needed on the part of the app's users. Once the block is in effect, students, faculty, staff and members of the general public will no longer able to access TikTok or other Chinese-based social media platforms, which include WeChat, Sina Weibo, Tencent QQ, Tencent Video, Xiao HongShu, Douban, Zhihu, Meituan and Toutiao, on any device if you are connected to the university via its wired or Wi-Fi networks.

However, the law does not prohibit students, faculty, staff or members of the general public from accessing TikTok or other such Chinese social media platforms through an individual user’s own personal network connection or a third-party network.

This law does recognize several exceptions to this block. It “does not apply to institutions or employees of such institutions if downloading, accessing, or using such a social media platform is necessary to (1) perform law enforcement activities; (2) investigatory functions to carry out official duties for bona fide law enforcement, investigative, or public safety purposes; or (3) audit, compliance, or legal functions of the institution.”

Frequently Asked Questions

» What apps are included in this block?
» When will this change take affect?
» How does this affect my personal TikTok account?
» Am I allowed to use TikTok while on campus?
» What will happen to university TikTok accounts?

In response to the law, Tennessee Tech is discontinuing use of TikTok as a channel for university communication. As outlined in the university’s social media policy, all social media accounts that bear the university’s name or logo should only be created and managed under consultation with the Office of Communications and Marketing. Student organizations who have TikTok accounts and access those via means not owned or operated by the university may continue to do so.
» How will the ban be enforced?

Network access will limit a user’s ability to navigate the apps included in the ban. The implementation and ongoing enforcement of the ban will simply mean that the university’s networks maintained by Information Technology Services on campus will not allow connection to the application or URL.
» Who else is affected by the ban?
» If I have an unusual use case or situation, can I get an exception?

The law does outline a few exceptions for law enforcement, safety, audit, compliance and legal uses. If you feel you may have a case warranting an exception, please contact the ITS Helpdesk at helpdesk@tntech.edu.