North Dakota higher education board rescinds TikTok ban

The State Board of Higher Education on Thursday voted to repeal a ban on TikTok for devices owned by North Dakota public colleges and universities.

The move follows Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s action that rescinded a 2022 executive order banning TikTok from devices owned by state agencies. 

The restrictions were prompted by national security concerns related to the app’s ownership by China-based company ByteDance. TikTok’s U.S. operations are now led by a U.S.-based joint venture.

State Board of Higher Education Chair Kevin Black said the decision seeks to balance security with access to communication and educational tools.

“The Board reviewed the latest information regarding TikTok’s ownership structure and cybersecurity risk profile,” Black said in a statement. “Based on those developments and the state’s updated assessment, the Board determined that a systemwide ban is no longer necessary.”

North Dakota University System campuses can request access to TikTok on university-owned devices.