Latest news with #Phillips-Hill
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Bill to ban TikTok on state devices passes Pennsylvania Senate
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — A bill that would ban the use of the app TikTok on state devices and networks seems to have most Pennsylvania senators in agreement. The bill, sponsored by Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill, notes that the app on state devices presents 'an unacceptable level of cybersecurity risk.' Under Senate Bill 376, all agencies, departments or commissions that are state government entities must do the following: Remove the application from state networks Implement measures to prevent the installation of the app Implement network-based restrictions to prevent workers from using and accessing the app Pennsylvania Representative aims to repeal 'Johnstown Flood Tax' 'The people of Pennsylvania's personal safety and our national security are threatened by cyber vulnerabilities of systems that support our daily lives. It is imperative that Pennsylvania takes bold and decisive actions to prepare for and address cybersecurity threats,' Phillips-Hill noted in her memo about the bill to other lawmakers. Over half of the other states have already banned the app on government devices, along with several other countries. The bill passed the Pennsylvania Senate with 49 votes yes on Wednesday, June 4. This comes after it passed both the Communications and Technology and the Appropriations Committee. It will now head to the House for consideration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill to ban TikTok from state-owned devices in Pennsylvania advances
(WHTM) — Multiple cybersecurity bills, including one banning popular social media platform TikTok from state-owned devices in Pennsylvania, have advanced out of the Senate Communications and Technology Committee. Senate Bill 376, sponsored by state Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York), would ban TikTok on all state-owned devices and networks. According to the memo, this comes as a response to growing national security concerns. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The bill would require Pennsylvania to follow federal guidelines regarding the use of TikTok on Government devices and networks. Many politicians across the United States consider TikTok a national security risk because the platform is owned by the Chinese internet technology company ByteDance. Senator Phillips-Hill's second proposed bill, Senate Bill 377, would require all state IT contracts to meet the cybersecurity standards set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. According to the memo, this would reduce the risk of data breaches across state systems. 'Back in March, I made it clear that cybersecurity would be a top priority this session, and today, we're taking meaningful steps forward,' Sen. Phillips-Hill said. 'These measures reflect best practices that other states and the federal government are already implementing to protect against bad actors. If we want to stay ahead of cyber threats, we need to take proactive, proven steps to secure our data and defend our systems.' The bills are part of a larger legislative package introduced by Sen. Phillips-Hill that intends to better safeguard Pennsylvania's information technology. The bill will now go to the Senate for consideration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
TikTok ban on Pa. state government devices passes Senate
HARRISBURG, Pa (WHTM) — A bill banning TikTok on state-owned devices in Pennsylvania unanimously passed the Senate Wednesday. Senate Bill 376, sponsored by state Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York), passed with unanimous support. It would bring the Commonwealth in line with more than 39 states that passed similar restrictions in the wake of security concerns over the app's parent company, ByteDance, and its relationship with the Chinese government. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'If we want to protect Pennsylvanians from cyber attacks, we must take proactive and proven steps to defend our systems against known vulnerabilities and threats,' said Sen. Phillips-Hill. 'These bills reflect commonsense safeguards that are already being used by other states and the federal government.' The bill would require state employees to follow federal guidelines on the use of TikTok on government networks and devices. Two years ago, State Treasurer Stacy Garrity banned TikTok on Pennsylvania Treasury devices. What is TikTok shop, and where does all the stuff come from? The Senate also unanimously passed Senate Bill 377, which would require all state IT contracts to meet cybersecurity standards established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Both bills are a part of a larger package from Sen. Phillips-Hill and now advance to the House for consideration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania lawmaker to host unclaimed property event in York County
YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)– A Pennsylvania lawmaker is hosting a free unclaimed property event in York County this week. State Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) announced she is hosting the unclaimed property event at the Penn Township Municipal Building at 20 Wayne Avenue in Hanover, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 15. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'At our last event, we helped return more than $200,000 to southern York County residents,' Phillips-Hill said. 'Many Pennsylvanians are surprised to learn the state could be holding money that belongs to them. It only takes a few minutes to check, and I encourage you to come get assistance.' Phillips-Hill said York County residents can search the Pennsylvania Treasury's unclaimed database and receive in-person assistance from Treasurer Stacy Garrity's staff. York County residents who can't attend the in-person event can visit the PA Treasury website. According to the Pennsylvania Treasury, more than one in ten Pennsylvanians have unclaimed property. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TikTok ban for Pa. state government devices advances
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways In this 2020 photo illustration, the TikTok app is displayed on an Apple iPhone. (Photo Illustration by) A Pennsylvania Senate Committee unanimously approved a pair of bills during a meeting on Tuesday, including a proposal that would ban TikTok from being downloaded on state-owned networks and devices. State Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill, the sponsor of Senate Bill 376, said that 34 states have already announced or enacted bans on state government agencies and employees using TikTok on state owned devices. Elected officials in Pennsylvania and beyond have expressed concern about the application's parent company, ByteDance, and its relationship with the Chinese government. 'As we hear more about cybersecurity attacks, it is imperative that Pennsylvania takes bold and decisive actions to prepare for and address those threats,' Phillips-Hill said. 'The people of Pennsylvania's personal safety and our national security are threatened by cyber vulnerabilities of systems that support our daily lives.' The proposal would also require agencies, departments, commissions, and all government entities to remove the app from devices in an effort to ensure the state is safe from cyber security threats caused by foreign governments. Last session, it was introduced as Senate Bill 379, and unanimously passed the state Senate in March 2023, although it was not approved on final passage by the state House. Some Pennsylvania elected officials, including state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, have already banned TikTok from being used on Treasury-issued devices. The committee also unanimously approved Senate Bill 377, authored by Phillips-Hill, which would require that any state government purchase of computer hardware meet the National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST, standards for computer security in an effort to protect the state's information technology. 'NIST guidelines consist of standards and best practices to manage cybersecurity related risk,' Phillips-Hill said. 'This is a flexible and cost effective approach that helps to promote the protection and resilience of our IT.' The standards proposed in this legislation have already been adopted by the U.S. government in all of their IT procurements.
