Tennessee’s TikTok Law – What To Know

In April 2023, Gov. Bill Lee signed Senate Bill 834/House Bill 1445 into law, prohibits public higher education institutions from allowing access to Chinese-owned social media platforms — including TikTok, WeChat and others — on university-provided networks (wired or wireless).

This means students, faculty, staff and visitors will be unable to access these platforms while connected to UT’s IT network. Access through personal or third-party networks is not restricted.

The law includes exceptions for law enforcement, investigations, audits, legal or compliance-related purposes conducted by institutional personnel.

Download TikTok Law (PDF)

TikTok Law FAQs

What apps are covered in the law?

TikTok or other social media platforms like WeChat, Sina Weibo, Tencent QQ, Tencent Video, Xiao HongShu, Douban, Zhihu, Meituan and Toutiao that are operated or hosted by a company in China. 

Can I have a personal TikTok account, or do I need to cancel it?

You can continue to have a TikTok account. You will no longer be able to access it from a university network. 

Will I get in trouble if I use TikTok while on campus?

No. 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’s own personal network connection or a third-party network.

Can the University still have TikTok accounts? How/why?

Campus entities will still be able to have institutional TikTok accounts; however, they will not be able to access them through the UT network. TikTok accounts will need to use a separate, non-state network or have an outside entity manage the content. The non-state network will need to ensure that no third party is collecting identifying information beyond views on our behalf. 

Are there exemptions to the law?

The law recognizes several key exceptions. It does not apply to institutions or employees of such institutions if downloading, accessing, or using such a social media platform is necessary to perform: (1) 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. 

How will the law be enforced?

The enforcement mechanism is seamless and should require nothing on the part of the end user. If they try to access one of the blocked sites while on the university network, the application or the URL will not resolve and they will not be able to connect.