Social Media

Montana Ban Targets TikTok, Along with China and Big Tech

State lawmakers are treading on new ground with an outright ban, but legislators around the country are concerned about the reach of social media. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.

  • By Elizabeth Daigneau

Enforcement Questions Dog State’s Proposed TikTok Ban

One expert derided legislation like Montana’s statewide ban on TikTok as unenforceable from a technological point of view. What's more, states acting individually to ban foreign-made technology can be problematic, researchers say.

  • By Chris Teale

Montana Could Be First State to Ban TikTok

Lawmakers approved legislation to prevent the app from operating within the state, but critics said it has no clear enforcement plan and violates the U.S. Constitution.

  • By Chris Teale

Social Media Age Verification Faces Practicality, Privacy Challenges

Utah recently approved legislation designed to restrict minors’ use of the platforms, but critics say the effort is unworkable and could leave personal information vulnerable to hackers.

  • By Chris Teale

Can You Lend This Sewer Agency an Ear?

A new podcast from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District seeks to connect with its residents.

  • By Molly Bolan

Governors' TikTok Bans Make Sense, Cybersecurity Experts Say

Republican governor after Republican governor has recently announced a TikTok ban for state employees. There are more than 100 million TikTok users in the U.S.

  • By Jenni Bergal, Stateline

Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Ban TikTok in US

TikTok poses a national security threat, according to lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle.

  • By Frank Konkel

More States Move to Ban TikTok From Government Devices

Maryland joined South Dakota in announcing a ban on state employees or agencies from using the app on government-issued devices, while South Carolina asked for it to be blocked.

  • By Chris Teale

A Governor Imposes a TikTok Ban for State Government

The move comes as the app faces increased scrutiny in the U.S. over its ties to the Chinese government.

  • By Molly Bolan

Police Facebook Pages Overreport Black Suspects

COMMENTARY | Police Facebook posts disproportionately highlight crimes involving Black suspects, research finds.

  • By Futurity

Twitter Turbulence Under Elon Musk Poses Headache For Governments

States and localities have come to depend on the social media platform to get information out in emergencies and other situations. But a surge in imposter accounts has some worried.

  • By Molly Bolan

The Small Alabama City That’s Gained 117,000 TikTok Followers

Oneonta Mayor Richard Phillips’ video posts goofing around about local government and highlighting the town have attracted online fans and, in some cases, real life visitors.

  • By Molly Bolan
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States Take New Steps to Stop Election Mistruths From Going Viral

To combat the rising threat, some states are bringing on cybersecurity specialists to comb social media and flag posts that spread falsehoods about the voting process. Others have launched ad campaigns to counter disinformation.

  • By Daniela Altimari

A State Wildlife Agency That's Winning at Twitter

Oklahoma's Department of Wildlife Conservation has grown its follower count from around 8,000 to over 80,000, dishing out posts that are fun but also informative. The agency's social media team chatted with Route Fifty about the secrets to their success.

  • By Molly Bolan

Local Election Offices Often Are Missing on Social Media

COMMENTARY | But election boards that use their social media accounts to share information may improve voter registration and participation, especially among young voters, two professors write.

  • By Thessalia Merivaki and Mara Suttmann-Lea, The Conversation

House Democrats Demand Data From Social Media Firms About Threats to Law Enforcement

Lawmakers want seven online platforms to say how they are responding to growing threats against law enforcement officials nationwide following the FBI’s search of former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago home.

  • By Edward Graham

New Statewide System Boosts State's Mass Emergency Alerts

Emergency managers in Iowa now can automatically push out safety alerts through emails, text messages, phone calls, RSS feeds and social media—and in multiple languages.

  • By Stephanie Kanowitz

Model Reveals How Misinformation Spreads Like a Virus

Misinformation moves in eerily similar ways.

  • By Mike Silver-Tufts

Information Disorder Is Biggest Social Danger, Commission Warns

The Aspen Institute’s Commission on Information Disorder made multiple structural recommendations for the information ecosystem.

  • By Patience Wait

Scammers Are Using Fake Job Ads to Steal People’s Identities

From Facebook to LinkedIn to Indeed, ads are popping up that promise well-paying jobs — if applicants provide their Social Security numbers and other details up front. Scammers then use the information to apply for unemployment benefits.

  • By Cezary Podkul, ProPublica

'Vaxfluencers' Getting Residents to Get the Shot

Public health agencies are paying local Instagram and TikTok celebrities to promote Covid-19 vaccines, a relatively new outreach strategy that, so far, seems to be working.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram