New Jersey Senate Bill S3462

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/12/23
• Refer: 1/12/23

Caption

Prohibits download or use of TikTok application on any State-issued electronic device.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would amend existing statutes by supplementing Title 52 of the Revised Statutes with clear guidelines concerning the use of applications that pose security threats. Violations of this prohibition can lead to criminal charges classified as disorderly conduct, which includes possible fines and jail time for willful infractions. This stringent stance reflects a growing recognition of digital security and privacy issues, particularly in the context of foreign technologies and their implications for state security.

Summary

Senate Bill S3462 aims to prohibit the download and use of the TikTok application on any State-issued electronic devices in New Jersey. The legislation is premised on concerns about security risks associated with TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance. With allegations of extensive data collection practices by the app, which may expose users to potential access by the Chinese government, the bill seeks to safeguard state employees and resources by restricting this application from being installed on official devices. The restriction is designed to mitigate risks associated with foreign surveillance and data exploitation.

Contention

While the bill has received support for addressing important security concerns, it also includes an exception for law enforcement officers using TikTok for investigative purposes. This raises questions about the balance between security measures and operational needs of law enforcement, creating a potential point of contention among advocates for privacy rights. The need for an Attorney General's established guidelines for the appropriate use of TikTok in investigations indicates a measured approach to acknowledging the application's utility while still emphasizing the necessity of protecting sensitive state data.