Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has signed a groundbreaking bill that bans the use of TikTok across the state, marking the first instance of a state taking such decisive action against the popular social media platform. The move is aimed at protecting Montanans’ private data and sensitive personal information from being harvested by the Chinese Communist Party, according to Gianforte. The ban is set to take effect in January 2024.
The bill gained momentum after lawmakers from both parties grilled TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew in March over concerns about the platform’s ties to China and the safety of user data. Additionally, 17 Republicans in Congress have called for rules to ban lawmakers from using TikTok, with concerns about it being a “spyware app.” These actions reflect growing national concerns about TikTok’s potential for data exploitation, propaganda, and influence on American public opinion.
TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has over 150 million American users and any efforts to ban it would likely face legal and political challenges. While it remains unclear whether the Montana bill can be effectively enforced, it serves as a key example of potential nationwide actions against the platform.
In response, TikTok has criticized the ban, stating that it infringes on the First Amendment rights of Montanans. The company reassured users that they can continue using TikTok and expressed its commitment to defending user rights.
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, who authored the bill, expects legal challenges and believes the Supreme Court will ultimately decide its fate. However, a ban on TikTok may face challenges due to the strong protections offered by the First Amendment.
The bill specifically prohibits TikTok from operating within Montana and imposes fines on both TikTok and mobile application stores that allow users to download or access the platform. The legislation accuses TikTok of allowing dangerous content that puts minors at risk and also raises concerns about spying on journalists and politicians.
Enforcement of the ban presents technological challenges, as users can easily bypass it using virtual private networks (VPNs) to change their IP addresses. Additionally, many TikTok videos are shared on other social media platforms, making it difficult to fully remove the app’s influence from the state.
The statewide ban in Montana holds significance as it may influence the Biden administration’s approach to TikTok. Former President Donald Trump’s attempts to ban the platform were unsuccessful, but the developments in Montana could foreshadow potential nationwide actions. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. has previously called for TikTok’s Chinese owners to divest their stake in the company to avoid a nationwide ban.
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