The list of organizations turning their backs on TikTok continues to grow. In addition to universities, CEGEPs and school service centers which will have to apply the directives of Quebec, several transport companies have already announced their intention to block the use of the Chinese social network for their employees.
In the metropolis, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) says it does so to “ensure the safety of STM assets against potential risks”. “The decision was effectively made to block access to the platform on all mobile devices provided by the STM to its employees. Everything will be done over the next few days, ”says spokesperson Philippe Déry.
For the organization, which had just joined the Chinese social network as an organization, a more global reflection will also begin internally. “Our social media managers are in contact with our cybersecurity teams to assess the potential impacts of this decision and the alternatives for the continued security of our presence on the platform,” continues Mr. Déry in this regard.
This blocking is in addition to the “policy on the use of social media for all of its employees”, which already tags “the use of these platforms during working hours”.
Same story for the Société de transport de Laval (STL), which “confirms that it has taken the necessary steps to remove, starting today, the TikTok application on all the devices belonging to it”. “Access to TikTok.com is also blocked for all equipment connected to the WiFi network as well as to the computer network,” says spokesperson Estelle Lacroix.
“Data Risks”
At the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM), which oversees all transport companies in Greater Montreal, spokesperson Simon Charbonneau confirms that the organization is “very seriously” considering banning the use of TikTok by its employees. . “It would concern the devices belonging to us. That said, there are still things to attach in the coming days, “he nuances, speaking of possible” risks at the data level “.
The Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL) has “decided not only to block this application internally, but also to suspend its corporate account for an indefinite period,” says its interim communications manager, Aline Pinxteren.
Exo, which notably manages the commuter train network, also confirms that its intention is “to prohibit the use of the application on the devices provided to its employees”.
In education too, it will be necessary to follow
In the office of the Minister of Higher Education, Pascale Déry, the press attaché Simon Savignac confirms that a government directive to block the use of TikTok for staff “is immediately aimed at all public bodies targeted by the article 2 of the Act respecting the governance and management of the information resources of public bodies and government enterprises (LGGRI), which includes universities and CEGEPs1 “.
This law also affects employees of school service centers, school boards and the School Tax Management Committee of the Island of Montreal, who will therefore have to stop their professional use of TikTok. The same goes for public health organizations, such as the CIUSSS, for that matter.
On Wednesday, Concordia University spokesperson Vannina Maestracci notably confirmed by email that the establishment had asked its employees “who use mobile devices belonging to the university or whose contract is paid for by the university to uninstall the application”.
On Monday, Quebec announced that it was following in Ottawa’s footsteps, banning the installation and use of TikTok on the mobile devices of its officials. Montreal also followed this trend in stride. In Ottawa, MPs will no longer be able to access the social network from Friday.
Remember that a sweep is also being prepared in certain state companies, including the Caisse de depot et placement and Hydro-Québec, which in turn have blacklisted TikTok on the mobile devices provided to their employees.
In the private sector, the turn of the screw given by Quebec and Ottawa should encourage managers to look at what is downloaded by their employees on corporate equipment, said Wednesday at The Press cybersecurity specialists. At Hydro-Québec, for example, more than 5,400 employees use computer equipment supplied by the hydroelectricity producer and distributor.