Montana, a state in the northwestern United States, has passed a ban on the Chinese short -video platform TikTok at the legislative level. With a 54-43 vote, the bill is now on Governor Greg Gianforte's desk. If he signs it, TikTok will be banned in the state and residents will not be able to download the software on smart device app stores.
If the ban is implemented, it would take effect in January of next year. In addition to banning TikTok, the bill, known as SB419, would also impose fines of up to $10,000 per day on app stores that allow TikTok software to be displayed. Individuals living in Montana who use the short-form video platform would not be subject to fines or jail time for using the program.
Bill to ban TikTok could be first passed in Montana
Brook Stroyke, a spokesman for the governor, said the state leader would carefully consider any proposed legislation. In December 2022, Gianforte banned the installation of TikTok on all local government devices. A month later, he successfully persuaded the University of Montana to make a similar request.
TikTok issued a statement citing the US First Amendment and opening the door to a lawsuit. "The bill's backers have acknowledged that they have no viable plan to operate this plan to silence the voice of the American people. The constitutionality of the bill will be decided by the courts. We will continue to fight for TikTok users and creators in Montana who are facing undue government interference in their livelihoods and First Amendment rights," said Brooke Oberwetter, a spokesperson for TikTok.
The bill also mentions TikTok’s dangerous content and challenges. But in addition to concerns about that, Washington is also concerned about ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, which is based in China. In the US, more than half of the 50 states are currently looking to rein in TikTok.
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