Thorold residents wanting to refresh their TikTok feed on the library's internet will no longer be able to, as City Hall has banned use of the popular app on the public internet networks of all of its facilities.
“The safety of our staff and community is our number one priority,” said the City's CAO Manoj Dilwaria, in a press statement. “Though we have never allowed TikTok on any corporate devices before, we are following the direction from upper levels of government to further protect the City from possible security and privacy threats by banning the use of TikTok on all City networks.”
City facilities affected include Battle of Beaverdams Park, City Hall, Lakeview Cemetery, the Lock 7 Viewing Centre, the Thorold Public Library, and the Thorold Community Arenas.
Residents will also be unable to access the app when using library computers or borrowing laptops from the Thorold Public Library.
With the move, Thorold joins a growing number of governments across Canada that have banned the app from work devices and public internet networks.
Residents wanting to check the latest TikTok video while out at a city facility, will just have to use their mobile data.