'Worth doing the due diligence': Kenosha County Board of Supervisors seeks to ban TikTok on county-run devices

 

KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Kenosha County is a step closer to cutting ties with TikTok on county-owned devices.

Monday night, the proposed policy was put forth and passed unanimously by the Kenosha County Finance and Administration Committee.

CBS 58 spoke with County Board Supervisor Brian Bashaw, an advocate for the policy.

Bashaw said the proposed policy is aimed at keeping the data and the people of Kenosha County safe.

"The county has taken a measure through the board to make sure that we are protecting our electronic systems, protected devices of the county, and certainly safeguard the resources of the citizens that they put up to have the county function properly," said Bashaw.

If the proposal passes, Kenosha County will follow suit like neighboring counties, like Washington County.

"This is contemporary discussion and it's worth doing the due diligence," said Bashaw.

Even though the policy is looking to remove TikTok from all county-owned devices, some agencies, like the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department, will still be able to access the app.

"The sheriff's department, detectives specifically, will use TikTok for tracking an individual and understanding some of their communication strings that are happening, so they do have access through this resolution to use it for investigative purpose," said Bashaw.

TikTok is owned by a Chinese-run company. Bashaw said that had no sway on making the proposal.

"We are not reacting based on all that noise, we are trying to be intelligent and do our due diligence. Based on the fact information that's out there, the fact information is -- it's seen as a potential hazard, especially when you're trying to control data and keep it safe," said Bashaw.

The proposed policy would need to go before the entire county board for approval before the ban could take effect.

Bashaw said he is confident the proposed policy will pass.