Title
Consideration of and action on an ordinance to adopt a policy regarding the use of prohibited applications on city owned devices as required by Senate Bill 1893.
Body
Summary:
On December 7, 2022, Governor Greg Abbott mandated that all state agencies prohibit the use of the video-sharing application TikTok on state-owned and state-issued devices and networks, citing concerns over the Chinese Communist Party’s potential for surveillance of Texans. Additionally, he instructed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) to create a plan that would guide state agencies on managing personal devices used for state business. In response to the Governor's directive, the 88th Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 1893, which requires municipal governments to adopt a policy prohibiting the installation or use of restricted applications and technologies on applicable devices that belong to the city.
As required by Senate Bill 1893, this ordinance adopts a policy with a clear mandate prohibiting the installation or use of restricted applications and technologies on applicable devices that belong to the city.
James Lewis, City of Deer Park’s IT Director reviewed the sample policy provided by DIR/DPS and adapted it for the city’s use. It will require an annual review of the policy and employee policy acknowledgement. City Attorney Fox approved the submitted ordinance.
Fiscal/Budgetary Impact:
N/A.
Recommended action
Approve the ordinance and policy regarding use of prohibited applications on city owned devices as required by Senate Bill 1893.