RE: Social Media Applications

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 20, 2023  | Amended June 13, 2023, and May 14, 2026

The Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education directs the following:

 

  1. TikTok may not be installed or used on any MUS or university-owned devices, including but not limited to desktop computers, laptops, iPads, or cellular telephones. If TikTok is currently installed on any MUS or university-owned device, the application must be immediately removed from the device.

  2. Campuses may provide exceptions to this directive, upon approval of the campus CIO, for academic instruction and research; official communications and outreach; and health, safety, and threat assessments or other law enforcement purposes.

 

  1. Access under the noted exceptions will be limited to the minimum functionality and duration necessary to accomplish the approved purpose. University data classified as confidential, protected, or otherwise sensitive may not be accessed, stored, transmitted, or discussed through TikTok or in connection with its use.

Addendum:
The following list of apps are also identified as high risk for sharing information with foreign adversaries and must be removed from all university-owned devices:

  • CapCut
  • Lemon8
  • Shein
  • Telegram Messenger
  • Temu
  • WeChat

Clayton Christian signature

Clayton T. Christian
Commissioner of Higher Education

Commissioner’s directives are official interpretations and guidance issued by the Commissioner of Higher
Education; they remain in effect as system directives until withdrawn or revised by the Commissioner or
superseded by action of the Board of Regents.

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