Recently, Montana lawmakers have voted in favor of banning TikTok entirely, alleging that a popular app is a tool used by the Chinese Communist Party. The proposed law was passed with 54 votes in favor and 43 against, marking the first of its kind by a US state. If Montana's governor signs the bill into law, it will be unprecedented and face TikTok's opposition in the state and national courts. Under this proposed law, Apple and Google would need to remove the app from their app stores, and companies could face fines of $10,000 per day for non-compliance. The ban is expected to take effect in 2024 and will likely face legal challenges due to its unprecedented nature in the United States.
This ban is just the latest development in the ongoing conflict between TikTok and Western governments. The app has already been banned on government devices in the US, Canada, and many European countries. Recall that the White House has demanded TikTok separate from its Chinese owners or cease operations in America. TikTok, owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, has been accused of being a tool for espionage by Beijing and is under the influence of the Chinese government by many US politicians, claims that the company denies.
However, free speech advocates have raised concerns that the ban could violate Montanans' constitutional right to freedom of speech, making this issue a subject of heated debate. A TikTok spokeswoman stated that the constitutionality of the ban would be ultimately decided by the courts, and the company would continue to fight for the rights of its users and creators in Montana.
