State Law Ban on Certain Software Applications and Technologies
In 2022, Governor Greg Abbott ordered all state agencies and public institutions of higher education to ban the installation and use of TikTok and other prohibited technologies on state-owned devices, and to prohibit employees from conducting state business on personal devices on which these prohibited applications are installed. In 2023, the Texas Legislature adopted the ban into law.
A list of software and hardware products that are currently prohibited on UNT System-owned devices and on personal devices used to conduct official UNT System business may be found on the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) website. The Office of the Governor, DIR, and the Texas Department of Public Safety may add other prohibited technologies and applications.
UNT System Regulation 06.5000 – Prohibited Technologies and Covered Applications
In November 2024, the UNT System adopted a regulation that sets out the responsibilities faculty, staff, and student employees must follow to comply with this law. UNT System Regulation 06.5000:
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Prohibits UNT, UNT Dallas, UNT Health Science Center, and the UNT System Administration from procuring any prohibited technologies or covered applications.
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Prohibits the installation and use of prohibited technologies and covered applications on System-owned devices.
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Prohibits faculty, staff, and student employees from conducting official UNT System business on personal devices on which TikTok and other prohibited technologies are installed.
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Prohibits faculty, staff, and student employees from bringing personal devices on which TikTok and other prohibited technologies and covered applications are installed into certain UNT System locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Each UNT System institution is a State of Texas agency and must comply with requirements set by the Governor and legislative mandates passed into law.
The Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) is responsible for maintaining the list of prohibited technologies. These include software, applications, developers, hardware, equipment, and manufacturers. Additionally, technologies from any subsidiary or affiliate of an entity on the list are prohibited.
Employees who use their personal devices to conduct System business must not have TikTok or any other prohibited technologies installed on their personal devices.
No, checking UNT System email constitutes conducting System business and employees are prohibited from conducting System business on any devices containing prohibited technology, including a personal device.
Yes, using your personal device to respond to a Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) prompt is not considered conducting state business.
No, opening a TikTok video will not automatically install the TikTok app on your personal device. The TikTok app requires your permission to install.
No, enrolling your personal device in the emergency alert system and receiving emergency alerts does not constitute conducting System business.
Faculty, staff, and student employees may contact their institution's Business Information Security Officer or UNT System IT Compliance at ITCompliance@untsystem.edu.