UA Updates Social Media Guidelines on TikTok
February 17, 2023
TikTok has been in the news recently as federal and state governments - including Alaska - have expressed concern about data privacy and security on the app. After some careful review, UA Leadership decided to update our social media policy and guidelines in a way that allows for student learning, marketing and outreach, research, and other activities while still placing safeguards around data and privacy.
- Students, Staff, and Faculty are prohibited from using university-owned devices (i.e., laptops or other university computers, University cell phones) to access personal TikTok accounts and software for non-university-related activities. Personal use means accessing the TikTok website or mobile app to create or review non-University-related posts or content for non-University-related reasons. We also advise that you avoid using your @alaska.edu email address as the registered address for your personal TikTok account.
- Current and future official uses of TikTok using university-owned/administered and personal accounts are allowed and remain subject to our existing policy and guidelines on official social media use [link]. Official use of TikTok includes things like:
- Marketing, outreach, dissemination, and recruitment efforts in line with existing social media policy guidelines on personal or UA-owned devices.
- Academics and assignments, including viewing TikToks, grading coursework, research, or other activities on personal or UA-owned devices. Those who choose to incorporate TikTok into their coursework may use their personal accounts to do so, and do not need to create accounts registered with an @alaska.edu address for those purposes.
- Research and investigation for discipline, HR, or law enforcement purposes undertaken in line with current policy and guidelines on personal or UA-owned devices.
The whole policy can be reviewed here. Even with these changes, the University will not be blocking connectivity to TikTok via our wireless networks, and OIT and/or campus IT will only implement network blocks or access controls to protect sensitive or controlled information, such as information subject to security clearances or sensitive research data.
To be clear: the policy changes have no impact on your personal use of Tiktok on your personal device, even across our wireless networks. However, we encourage you to always engage in good online safety practices. If you are concerned about your own privacy and data protection, consider limiting how much personal information you share on all social media platforms, including TikTok.