press@thisisprojecttexas.org

Thank you, Dallas Morning News, for covering this story.

Read here.

Frequently Asked Questions:

I’m seeing results for TikTok when I search “Project Texas.” Why?

On March 23, 2023, “Project Texas” garnered global attention. United States Congress indicated national security concerns regarding TikTok’s surveillance capacity and practices, which prompted governments, including the United States, European Union, Canada, and India to ban the use of the application. On February 6, 2023, Governor Greg Abbott announced a statewide model security plan which bans and prevents the use of TikTok on any state-issued device. Montana recently passed legislation banning TikTok on all personal devices.

On March 23, 2023, the U.S. Congressional Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing entitled “TikTok: How Congress Can Safeguard American Data Privacy and Protect Children from Online Harms.

During the hearing, TikTok CEO Shou Chew described and repeatedly referred to an initiative to address Congress’s concerns regarding American’s data security named “Project Texas.”

Why is Project Texas working with TikTok?

We’re not. We are working to STOP the use of our name by TikTok. As a small minority owned business, we took several precautions early on to ensure our brand remained healthy for Texas so we may always serve and fight for Texans. Our actions included, but were not limited to, obtaining a registered and active trademark with the United States Patent & Trademark Office.

Is TikTok taking over Project Texas?

No — we’re the only ones riding in this rodeo. We’re working to reclaim our name. We are Project Texas, and we will continue to fight for Texans everywhere.

Has Project Texas asked TikTok to stop “Project Texas?”

Yes. As of June 13, 2023, TikTok has not ceased use of “Project Texas” or helped us correct to relieve the additional hurdles of completing our mission for Texans. However, TikTok is a $75 billion company, and we, a small minority owned nonprofit corporation are not — it’s the well known story of David vs. Goliath. We have made it our mission to fight for the “little guy” by standing up for Texans across our great state, and now we are threatened to be crushed by the big guy. Texas’ $1.887 trillion economy thrives off of small business — 99.8% of all 2.8 million businesses in our state are small businesses. Our state ranks #1 in America for minority small business, with 710,215 minority owned small enterprises.

We are focused on spending our resources continuing to do our great work positively impacting the lives of Texans and our communities.

It may be a little harder to find us now, but the stars at night always remain much bigger and brighter over Texas.

We love our state and the people of Texas and have dedicated our mission to solely standing up and fighting for the little guy. And now, we'd never imagine we would be the little guy being crushed by the big guy. We have tirelessly worked to promote the general welfare of all Texans by using the power of Civic Engagement to make our neighborhoods safer, stronger jobs, better healthcare, and secure housing for Texans. We are asking you to find it in your heart to please support us and help us raise funds that will go directly and positively impact our work. Project Texas has and continues to protect elections and protect voters choices around our great state.

A big Texas sized thank you.