Montana has become the first state in the US to ban TikTok. Governor Greg Gianforte signed a measure that’s more sweeping than any other state’s attempts to curtail the social media app. The move is expected to be challenged legally and will serve as a testing ground for the TikTok-free America that many national lawmakers have envisioned. TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but has said it will fight for Montana residents to be able to use the app.
Some lawmakers, the FBI and officials at other agencies are concerned the video-sharing app, owned by the Chinese tech company ByteDance, could be used to allow the Chinese government to access information on American citizens or push pro-Beijing misinformation that could influence the public. TikTok says none of this has ever happened.
Montana’s new law prohibits downloads of TikTok in the state and would fine any “entity” — an app store or TikTok — $10,000 per day for each time someone “is offered the ability” to access the social media platform or download the app. The penalties would not apply to users.
TikTok, which has said it has a plan to protect US users, has vowed to fight back against the ban, along with small business owners who said they use the app for advertising. The ACLU of Montana opposed the bill, arguing it was an unconstitutional restriction of free speech.
