Montana Governor Greg Gianforte signed a bill that makes it illegal for TikTok to operate in the state, becoming the first in the U.S. to completely prohibit the app.
The law, considered the most extreme action against the Chinese-owned app in the country, is expected to face legal challenges. It will likely serve as a test case for policymakers' ability to ban private company operations.
- The ban, set to take effect in January, prohibits app stores such as Apple and Google from offering TikTok to Montana residents.
- Gianforte said the ban aims to protect citizens from potential foreign influence and safeguard their personal and private data due to TikTok's ownership by ByteDance, based in Beijing.
- App stores that violate the ban by providing TikTok may face penalties, starting with a $10,000 fine per violation.
- Both TikTok and the ACLU have criticized the ban, arguing that it violates users' First Amendment rights.
- However, TikTok has assured users in Montana that they can continue using the platform while the company works to defend user rights.
- The ban is expected to lead to a protracted legal battle, as questions remain about the state's ability to enforce the law.
- Cybersecurity experts have expressed doubts about its enforceability and believe it will be challenging for app stores like Apple and Google to block TikTok downloads in Montana.