University of Texas at Austin Prohibits Shein from Campus Network Access
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In a significant move, the University of Texas at Austin, one of the largest college campuses in the United States, has officially banned the popular fast-fashion retailer Shein. This decision aligns with Governor Greg Abbott’s expanded directive from January, which prohibits around 50 Chinese-affiliated companies, including major players like Alibaba and Temu, from being accessed on state devices. The reasons cited for this ban are rooted in cybersecurity and concerns regarding foreign interference.
The University confirmed to FOX Business that the list of prohibited technologies extends to the campus Wi-Fi networks. The institution stated, “This policy is intended to ensure compliance with the new regulations as well as enhance awareness of potential security risks and safeguard sensitive state and university data.”
University of Texas students walk through campus on the first day of classes Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (Jay Janner/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The ban on Shein, which has rapidly grown into a multibillion-dollar global fast-fashion giant by offering trendy clothing at remarkably low prices, has sparked mixed reactions on social media. While some users expressed frustration over the ban, others took the opportunity to criticize Shein for its controversial manufacturing ethics and labor practices.
TEXAS THE LATEST STATE WITH A LAW BANNING FOREIGN ADVERSARIES FROM BUYING REAL ESTATE
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced in December that his office is investigating Shein for “potential violations of Texas law related to unethical labor practices and the sale of unsafe consumer products,” citing concerns over possible toxic and hazardous materials.
In December 2022, Governor Abbott directed state agency leaders to ban employees from using TikTok and other Chinese-owned platforms on government-issued devices, labeling them as a “threat to Texas’ cybersecurity.”
This picture shows signage of fast fashion e-commerce company SHEIN at a garment factory in Guangzhou, China’s southern Guangdong province, on July 18, 2022. (JADE GAO/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The University of Texas at Austin has also effectively blocked the popular social media app TikTok from its campus network in compliance with state regulations. In January, Governor Abbott expanded the list of prohibited technologies to include 26 additional companies, which encompass artificial intelligence tools, e-commerce sites, and social media apps affiliated with the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party.
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a news conference with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins at the Texas Capitol in Austin on Aug. 15, 2025. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Among the 54 companies now prohibited, notable names include the social media platform RedNote, AI platform DeepSeek, electronics giant Xiaomi, Alipay, and Baidu, which is often referred to as China’s equivalent of Google. Governor Abbott emphasized the importance of safeguarding Texans from “rogue actors” who may wish to harm the state.
He stated, “Hostile adversaries harvest user data through AI and other applications and hardware to exploit, manipulate, and violate users and put them at extreme risk. Today, I am expanding the prohibited technologies list to mitigate that risk and protect the privacy of Texans from the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party, and any other hostile foreign actors who may attempt to undermine the safety and security of Texas.
Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com.
In a significant move, the University of Texas at Austin, one of the largest college campuses in the United States, has officially banned the popular fast-fashion retailer Shein. This decision aligns with Governor Greg Abbott’s expanded directive from January, which prohibits around 50 Chinese-affiliated companies, including major players like Alibaba and Temu, from being accessed on state devices. The reasons cited for this ban are rooted in cybersecurity and concerns regarding foreign interference.
The University confirmed to FOX Business that the list of prohibited technologies extends to the campus Wi-Fi networks. The institution stated, “This policy is intended to ensure compliance with the new regulations as well as enhance awareness of potential security risks and safeguard sensitive state and university data.”
University of Texas students walk through campus on the first day of classes Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (Jay Janner/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The ban on Shein, which has rapidly grown into a multibillion-dollar global fast-fashion giant by offering trendy clothing at remarkably low prices, has sparked mixed reactions on social media. While some users expressed frustration over the ban, others took the opportunity to criticize Shein for its controversial manufacturing ethics and labor practices.
TEXAS THE LATEST STATE WITH A LAW BANNING FOREIGN ADVERSARIES FROM BUYING REAL ESTATE
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced in December that his office is investigating Shein for “potential violations of Texas law related to unethical labor practices and the sale of unsafe consumer products,” citing concerns over possible toxic and hazardous materials.
In December 2022, Governor Abbott directed state agency leaders to ban employees from using TikTok and other Chinese-owned platforms on government-issued devices, labeling them as a “threat to Texas’ cybersecurity.”
This picture shows signage of fast fashion e-commerce company SHEIN at a garment factory in Guangzhou, China’s southern Guangdong province, on July 18, 2022. (JADE GAO/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The University of Texas at Austin has also effectively blocked the popular social media app TikTok from its campus network in compliance with state regulations. In January, Governor Abbott expanded the list of prohibited technologies to include 26 additional companies, which encompass artificial intelligence tools, e-commerce sites, and social media apps affiliated with the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a news conference with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins at the Texas Capitol in Austin on Aug. 15, 2025. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Among the 54 companies now prohibited, notable names include the social media platform RedNote, AI platform DeepSeek, electronics giant Xiaomi, Alipay, and Baidu, which is often referred to as China’s equivalent of Google. Governor Abbott emphasized the importance of safeguarding Texans from “rogue actors” who may wish to harm the state.
He stated, “Hostile adversaries harvest user data through AI and other applications and hardware to exploit, manipulate, and violate users and put them at extreme risk. Today, I am expanding the prohibited technologies list to mitigate that risk and protect the privacy of Texans from the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party, and any other hostile foreign actors who may attempt to undermine the safety and security of Texas.
