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Some Native American TikTok creators are worried about what’s lost with a potential app ban

Published: Thursday, April 6, 2023 - 12:12pm

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed an executive order giving Arizona agencies and their workers 30 days to delete the app TikTok from devices that can access state systems.

The move comes as Arizona’s three public universities recently banned TikTok on school-owned devices, and Attorney General Kris Mayes banned the app on devices owned by her office over data security. 

At the same time, lawmakers in Washington, D.C., have been debating whether or not to ban TikTok through a bipartisan bill dubbed the RESTRICT Act. Concerns center on national security and the apps origins in China. 

Many Native American creators on the platform worry about what will be lost if the app is banned. Arlyssa Becenti, Indigenous affairs reporter for the Arizona Republic, joined The Show to talk about it. 

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