Maryland GOP Gov. Hogan bans TikTok, China and Russia-based products on state devices

Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan has issued an emergency directive to ban the use of certain China and Russia-based products and platforms, including TikTok, on state devices.

Under Hogan's directive Tueday, state agencies must remove products such as the China-based TikTok, Huawei Technologies, WeChat and Alibaba, as well as the Russian antivirus program Kaspersky.

Maryland officials said they have a "reasonable belief" that the foreign companies participate in cyber-espionage, disinformation campaigns and inappropriate collection of sensitive material.

"There may be no greater threat to our personal safety and our national security than the cyber vulnerabilities that support our daily lives," Hogan said.

Maryland's ban comes one week after South Dakota GOP Gov. Kristi Noem banned TikTok from state devices.

On the federal level, FBI Director Christopher Wray warned lawmakers last month that TikTok poses "national security concerns." Several members of Congress also proposed legislation last month that would ban TikTok in the United States.