The state of Maryland recently announced that it will ban all state agencies from using products made by Chinese and Russian companies, including TikTok. This decision was prompted by a recent report from NBC News that highlighted how these companies have been collecting personal data from users without their consent. The importance of this action cannot be overstated; our nation must take steps to protect its citizens from malicious actors who wish to exploit our vulnerabilities.

The security of American citizens should always be at the forefront of any decision-making process. Allowing Chinese and Russian companies to collect user data without permission presents serious security risks for America as a whole, particularly when it comes to foreign governments having access to sensitive information.

According to NBC News,

In announcing the emergency directive, the state said the entities “present an unacceptable level of cybersecurity risk to the state, and may be involved in activities such as cyber-espionage, surveillance of government entities, and inappropriate collection of sensitive personal information.”

“There may be no greater threat to our personal safety and our national security than the cyber vulnerabilities that support our daily lives,” said Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican. “Maryland has taken bold and decisive actions to prepare for and address cybersecurity threats. To further protect our systems, we are issuing this emergency directive against foreign actors and organizations that seek to weaken and divide us.”

In issuing the directive, state officials referred to both FBI Director Chris Wray’s statement that TikTok poses a security threat, and an NBC News report on Monday that, according to the Secret Service, a hacking group known as APT41 and linked to the Chinese government stole at least $20 million in U.S. Covid relief benefits, including Small Business Administration money and unemployment insurance funds in over a dozen states.

By banning these sorts of products and services, Maryland is taking an important step towards protecting its citizens’ privacy and ensuring that our nation remains safe from external threats.

Furthermore, this move sends a strong message to other states across the country that we are taking this issue seriously and that we are committed to doing whatever it takes to protect our citizens’ rights. It is crucial that other states follow suit and adopt similar measures in order to further secure the safety of American citizens and ensure that no one’s personal information is being exposed without their knowledge or consent.

Finally, this ban provides an opportunity for American businesses to thrive in the absence of foreign competitors who are not upholding the same ethical standards as domestic companies. By removing foreign products from government offices, Maryland has opened up doors for American businesses who can now provide similar services while adhering to higher standards of privacy and security. This will allow us to create jobs here in the United States while also protecting our citizens from potential threats posed by foreign entities.

The decision by Maryland’s government demonstrates an important commitment on behalf of our nation; namely, ensuring the security of American citizens should always come first. We must do whatever it takes to protect ourselves from malicious actors who wish to exploit our vulnerabilities, and banning TikTok is one way we can do just that.

In addition, this move opens up new opportunities for domestic businesses while sending a clear message about our commitment to privacy and security. As more states begin adopting similar bans, America will become increasingly safer for its citizens everywhere.