Montana on Wednesday became the first state in the U.S. to issue a full ban on the popular video-sharing app TikTok, owned by Chinese tech firm ByteDance. The measure is expected to face legal challenges and could set a precedent for further anti-TikTok legislation that many public officials are advocating for.
The new law prohibits app stores from offering TikTok for download within Montana's borders and imposes fines of $10,000 per day on any "entity," such as an app store or even TikTok itself, each time a user is "offered the ability" to access or download the platform.
TikTok spokesperson Jamal Brown revealed that there are currently 200,000 users and 6,000 businesses in Montana utilizing the app: "We're disappointed with this decision as it impacts not only our community of creators but also small businesses across Montana who have come to rely on TikTok."
Both American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and NetChoice have criticized this move as unconstitutional. However, agencies like the FBI expressed concerns over potential security issues linked with using Chinese-owned apps such as Tiktok.
FBI Special Agent John Smith stated: "While we understand people's enjoyment of these types of applications, we must remain vigilant towards foreign threats attempting to exploit vulnerabilities within them."
To date, more than half of U.K. states along with federal government institutions have instituted bans against using Tiktok on government-owned devices due to similar security concerns.
Montana Governor Tim Johnson defended his decision: "Our primary responsibility is protecting our citizens' privacy rights while maintaining national security interests." He went on saying that other states should consider following suit if they value their residents' privacy.
Supporters argue that banning apps like Tiktok demonstrates proactive measures taken by governments regarding cybersecurity risks associated with foreign-owned technology companies.
As legal experts anticipate imminent court battles, the Montana TikTok ban may become a crucial benchmark for future legislation concerning Chinese tech companies in the U.S. The outcome of these legal challenges will shape not only Tiktok's fate but also policies regarding data privacy and security in an increasingly interconnected digital world.