PIERRE, SD -- Officials announced Wednesday that the governor of South Dakota signed an executive order to ban TikTok for state employees. 

Gov. Kristi Noem reportedly signed Executive Order 2022-10, banning TikTok, the Chinese social media platform, for state government agencies, employees, and contractors using state devices. 

It was reported that this order was in response to the "growing national security threat posed by TikTok due to its data gathering operations on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party."

“South Dakota will have no part in the intelligence gathering operations of nations who hate us,” said Noem. “The Chinese Communist Party uses information that it gathers on TikTok to manipulate the American people, and they gather data off the devices that access the platform.”

The order reportedly takes effect immediately and would apply to employees and agencies of the State of SD, "including persons and entities who contract with the state, commissions, and authorities or agents thereof."

In the press release it was stated that the order prohibits downloading or using the TikTok application or visiting the website on state-owned or state-leased electronic devices capable connecting to the internet.

“Because of our serious duty to protect the private data of South Dakota citizens, we must take this action immediately. I hope other states will follow South Dakota’s lead, and Congress should take broader action, as well,” said Noem.