Montana is set to become the first US state to impose a total ban on TikTok from operating within its borders. The bill received final approval on Friday, with 54-43 votes in favor of the measure, according to a report by AP.
Although this measure is expected to face legal challenges, it could also serve as a testing ground for a future America without TikTok.
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: In this photo illustration, a TikTok logo is displayed on an iPhone on February 28, 2023, in London, England. This week, the US government and European Union's parliament have announced bans on installing the popular social media app on staff devices.
Beyond Restrictions
The ban on TikTok proposed in Montana extends beyond the restrictions already imposed by nearly half of the states and the US federal government, which prohibit the use of TikTok on government-owned devices.
The measure must be signed into law by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte before it can go into effect, and if passed, it will not become effective until January 2024.
Moreover, the ban would be lifted if Congress imposed a ban or if TikTok ended its connection to China.
In 2022, Gianforte prohibited the use of TikTok on state government devices, citing the app's risk to sensitive state data.
However, TikTok spokesperson Brooke Oberwetter has promised to challenge the constitutionality of the measure, stating that the supporters of the bill have no practical strategy to enforce it and that it is an attempt to stifle American voices.
Those advocating for the Montana legislation point to two Chinese regulations that require companies to aid the government with state intelligence activities.
They also draw attention to a situation in December 2020 when ByteDance terminated four workers for accessing the IP addresses and other information of two journalists to uncover the source of a leaked story about the company.
The proposed bill would prohibit the downloading of TikTok in Montana and would result in a fine of $10,000 per day for any "entity" that offers users the option to browse or download the app, such as an app store or TikTok. However, users would not be subject to the proposed fines.
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US Mistrust on Chinese-owned TikTok
There has been significant attention on TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese firm ByteDance, due to worries that it could compromise user data to the Chinese government or promote pro-Beijing propaganda and misinformation.
Despite concerns raised by FBI and CIA leaders, as well as lawmakers from both political parties, there is no concrete evidence to support these claims.
Although the proposed prohibition of TikTok in Montana is likely to be challenged in court, it may act as a starting point for national lawmakers who are pushing for a TikTok-free America, citing concerns over possible Chinese spying.
TikTok has already been banned from government-owned devices in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and other nations.
The latest development in Montana may just be welcoming news for officials that have been pushing for a TikTok ban in the country since former president Donald Trump attempted to do so in 2020.
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