UTS 200 Prohibited Technology: Employee Guidance and FAQ's

On November 19, 2024, The University of Texas System approved the new policy UTS 200 to address Prohibited Technologies as required by Governor Abbot’s directive banning TikTok and other prohibited technologies due to concerns about data privacy and potential risks to state security on state-owned devices and the subsequent Senate Bill 1893. UTS 200 extends the ban to personal devices used for state business, applying to all full- and part-time employees, contractors, and paid or unpaid interns and apprentices.

Per compliance requirements outlined below, all full- and part-time employees, contractors, and paid or unpaid interns and apprentices are required to immediately uninstall TikTok and other prohibited technologies from all personal devices that are used for official state business, including smartphones, tablets and laptops that access state email accounts (Outlook) and virtual meetings (Teams/Zoom).

The list of prohibited technologies that must be uninstalled includes Alipay, ByteDance Ltd., CamScanner, Kaspersky, QQ Wallet, SHAREit, Tencent Holdings Ltd., TikTok, VMate, WeChat, WeChat Pay, WPS Office, or any subsidiary or affiliate of an entity listed above. The Texas Department of Information Resources maintains a list on its website at Covered Applications and Prohibited Technologies.

This document provides guidance on compliance with UTS 200 and answers common questions employees may have.

Compliance Requirements 

1. Remove TikTok from Personal Devices Used to Conduct State Business

a. Immediately uninstall TikTok and other prohibited technologies from all personal devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops that are used to access state email accounts (Outlook), attend virtual meetings (Teams).

b. Ensure that TikTok is not reinstalled in the future.

2. Refrain from using prohibited technologies for Work-Related Activities

a. Ensure only approved platforms are used for professional communication.

3. Report Compliance

a. Acknowledge acceptance of the prohibited technology policy in the employee’s annual Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) acceptance.

4. Protect Sensitive Information

a. Be vigilant about sharing sensitive state information on any platform, including other social media.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. Why is TikTok banned?

A: Governor Abbott issued a directive in 2022 banning TikTok, and SB 1893 was passed in the 88th legislative session. TikTok and other prohibited technologies are banned due to concerns about data privacy and potential risks to state security. The platform’s data practices may expose sensitive information.

Q: Does the ban apply to personal devices?

A: Employees are prohibited from using TikTok and other prohibited technologies on personal devices used to conduct state business to mitigate risks of accidental exposure while connected to state networks.

Q: What constitutes using a device for state business?

A: Employees who use their personal device for state email, text, SMS, or other non-public facing communications, video conferencing apps like Zoom or Teams, and any other state databases or applications.

The use of Duo for two-factor authentication is not considered a use of a personal device for state business for the purposes of this ban and, therefore, is acceptable to utilize.

Q: Can I use TikTok or other prohibited technologies on my personal device outside of work hours?

A: You cannot use prohibited technologies on devices used to conduct state business. The prohibition extends to all times and contexts to ensure strict compliance and minimize security risks. Employees may still access TikTok or other applications on devices not used for state business.

Q: What happens if I do not comply?

A: Non-compliance may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to additional training, suspension of remote access to state systems, or termination of employment, in accordance with system policies.

Q: What if my kids have TikTok on their devices?

A: Families may still access TikTok or other applications on devices not used for state business, but they may not use an employee’s personal device that is used for state business to access TikTok.

Q: What if I need to use TikTok for personal reasons?

A: The policy strictly prohibits TikTok use on personal devices that are also used to access state systems. Employees may still access TikTok or other applications on devices not used for state business.

Q: What resources are available for help?

A: For questions on the policy, please send an email to policies@utsystem.edu.