Dear University of Houston System faculty, staff and students,

On December 7, 2022, citing cybersecurity threats by China, Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered all Texas state agencies, which includes the University of Houston System (UHS) and its universities, to “ban its officers and employees from downloading or using TikTok on any of its government-issued devices. This TikTok ban extends to all state-issued cell phones, laptops, tablets, desktop computers, and other devices capable of internet connectivity.” There are limited exceptions to this order, such as law-enforcement investigations, which may be granted by the head of the Texas state agency.

As a result of the Governor’s order, absent a granted exception, all UHS and its university’s officers and employees are strictly prohibited from downloading or using TikTok on any university-issued devices, including but not limited to all UHS and university-issued cell phones, laptops, tablets, desktop computers, and other devices capable of internet connectivity.

Please contact the UHS Office of General Counsel if there are any questions regarding the above directive.