TikTok faces first US state ban in Montana

TikTok is facing its first ban by a US state over national security concerns after the governor of Montana signed a bill prohibiting downloads of the social media app, setting up a potential legal battle over free speech.

The bill signed by Governor Greg Gianforte on Wednesday, which takes effect in January, prohibits TikTok from operating within Montana and prevents app stores from allowing downloads of the app, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance. According to the new law, TikTok and app stores, such as Apple and Google, could face fines of up to $10,000 per day per violation if they do not comply.

The statewide ban, which has been strongly opposed by free speech advocates, comes amid growing security concerns from governments and regulators around the world about the company’s ties to Beijing through its Chinese parent. Earlier this year, the US government called for a ban or deletion of the short-form video app, fearing it could collect data on its 150 million US users for Chinese espionage purposes.

“To protect the personal and private data of Montanans from the Chinese Communist Party, I have banned TikTok in Montana,” Gianforte, a Republican, wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.

Nevertheless, the law is expected to face widespread legal challenges, which could delay enforcement.

TikTok said: “Governor Gianforte signed a bill that violates the First Amendment rights of the people of Montana by illegally banning TikTok, a platform that empowers hundreds of thousands of people across the state. “

It added: “We want to assure Montanans that they can continue to use TikTok to express themselves, earn a living, and find community as we work to protect the rights of our users inside and outside of Montana.” continue to do.”

TikTok has become a flashpoint in rising tensions between the US and China, uniting Republicans and Democrats in Washington, many of whom have called for a federal ban. However, it is unclear whether the White House would issue an executive order seeking the injunction or under what authority it could do so. Meanwhile, China has said that it opposes the US demand that the US branch of TikTok be separated from its Chinese owners.

In Montana, which has a population of about 1.1 million, it is unclear what will happen to TikTok users who downloaded the app before the law went into effect. It is also unclear whether app stores will be able to offer apps on a state-by-state basis.

Google and Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.