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County adopts policy restricting certain apps on county devices, with exception and review protocols
Summary
After debate over exceptions, logging and law-enforcement needs, the Commissioners Court approved a 'covered applications and prohibited technologies' policy for county devices, including an annual review provision and a reporting process for exceptions working with the IT department and County Attorney.
Blanco County commissioners on Jan. 28 moved to adopt a new policy restricting covered applications and certain technologies on county devices, adopting a template issued following a governor's directive and directing annual review and County Attorney oversight.
Staff explained the policy mirrors a governor-sent template and contains provisions to prohibit specified applications (examples listed in the template include TikTok and related apps) on county devices, provide for exceptions for emergency public information and law-enforcement needs, and require elected officials to work with the IT department when seeking an exception. The policy also authorizes IT to remove unauthorized applications from county equipment and calls for an annual review of the measures.
Commissioners raised concerns about the policy's exceptions and uniformity. One commissioner said the exception language should not create an impression that the county will broadcast all public information via restricted apps; staff clarified the exception exists to allow rapid public-notification sharing in emergencies but does not require use of all platforms. The County Judge said exceptions reported to his office could be placed on an agenda for court consideration and that he expected the court to be informed of non-law-enforcement exception approvals. The court approved adopting the policy with a requirement to coordinate with the County Attorney and to reconcile any overlap with the Personnel Manual.
The court asked staff to work with the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) and the County Attorney to ensure the adopted policy does not conflict with the Personnel Manual and to create a checklist for annual review.
