§ 2.2-5514.1 Application Restrictions
A new state law prohibits the use of TikTok, WeChat, and other applications developed by ByteDance or Tencent for any official university purposes, effective July 1, 2023, and accessing these applications from university-owned devices or using the university's networks. In addition to TikTok, these applications include Capcut, Hypic, and ULike from ByteDance, and WeChat, WeCom, Tencent QQ, QQmail, Tencent Video, and Tencent Music (from Tencent). Other apps may also be included. The current known list of apps is shown below:
|
App Name |
Manufacturer |
|
BytePlus |
ByteDance |
|
Capcut |
ByteDance |
|
Douyin |
ByteDance |
|
FitGroup |
ByteDance |
|
Hypic |
ByteDance |
|
TikTok |
ByteDance |
|
Helo |
ByteDance |
|
Xigua Video |
ByteDance |
|
Toutiao |
ByteDance |
|
Lark |
ByteDance |
|
ByteDance |
ByteDance |
|
ULike |
ByteDance |
|
QQ and Misc. apps |
Tencent Holdings |
|
Tencent Cloud |
Tencent Holdings |
|
Tenpay |
Tencent Holdings |
|
|
Tencent Holdings |
|
Weixin |
Tencent Holdings |
|
Weishi |
Tencent Holdings |
|
Tencent Misc. business apps |
Tencent Holdings |
|
Voov Meeting |
Tencent Holdings |
|
Tencent Music |
Tencent Holdings |
|
China Literature Limited |
Tencent Holdings |
In order to comply with the law, Technology Services will block network traffic to and from these applications and prevent these applications from being accessed from university-issued devices. Any existing TikTok and related applications must be removed from all university-owned devices.
Access to these applications with personally-owned devices over private networks and for personal business is still permitted.
Please see the table and frequently asked questions below for additional clarification.
Access to TikTok, WeChat, and other restricted applications and websites
|
Network Connection / Work Type |
VCU Owned or Issued Device |
Personal Device |
|
On VCU Network doing VCU Work |
Prohibited |
Prohibited |
|
On VCU Network doing personal business |
Prohibited |
Prohibited |
|
On home/external network doing VCU work |
Prohibited |
Prohibited |
|
On home/external network doing personal business |
Prohibited |
Allowed |
FAQ
A: The Virginia General Assembly passed a new law earlier in 2023 that requires all state-affiliated entities - including VCU - to restrict access to TikTok and other applications developed by ByteDance and Tencent on state-issued devices or state-maintained networks. The governor signed the bill in April. The law takes effect on July 1, 2023.
A: The restrictions will primarily affect faculty and staff (and contractors) conducting university business using a university-issued device, or on the university network. Access to these apps will not be blocked from student networks.
A: You can still use your personal TikTok accounts after July 1, 2023 provided you do the following:
- Run the app on a device you own.
- Use a personal or cellular network that is not owned or managed by the university or another State agency.
- Do not use your account for VCU-related work.
A: Technology Services will implement technical controls to limit access to TikTok and other ByteDance and Tencent applications and websites on the VCU network.
A: No.
A: You should contact your manager. Managers may contact iso@vcu.edu to discuss if a limited exemption to the law may be applicable.
A: No. But you can't access TikTok or other restricted apps from a university-issued device or on the university network.
A: No. You are not prohibited from using these apps on a personal device with a personal data plan or on student networks. However, you will not be able to use these applications over the VCU employee networks.