A group representing Texas college professors is suing the state for banning TikTok on government-issued devices and networks. The suit specifically challenges Texas' TikTok ban on faculty phones and campus WiFi networks at public universities, arguing that it hinders teaching and research in areas like disinformation and data collection. In February, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced the ban of TikTok on state government devices and networks, citing security concerns and data harvesting by the app's Chinese owners. - Abbott and 14 other officials are named as defendants in the new lawsuit.
- The complaint argues that the ban at Texas public university campuses infringes on the academic freedoms and constitutional rights of faculty members, restricting their use of the platform for educational purposes.
- The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University filed the suit on behalf of the Coalition for Independent Technology Research, an academic research advocacy group that counts Texas professors as members.
The U.S. government and more than 30 states have banned TikTok on government phones and systems. - Montana recently banned any use of TikTok in the state.
- TikTok is funding two lawsuits in Montana challenging the state's ban, claiming violations of free speech rights. However, the company is not involved in the Texas lawsuit.
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