Montana becomes first US state to ban TikTok, Chinese app says move violates people's rights

Montana will make it unlawful for Google and Apple"s app stores to offer TikTok within the state, but will not impose any penalties on individuals using the app.

NewsBharati    18-May-2023 11:37:28 AM
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In a major development, Montana became the first state in the US state to ban the popular short video app TikTok. To enact a complete ban on Chinese-owned TikTok Montana Governor Greg Gianforte on Wednesday signed legislation to curtail the social media app.
 
The move was taken as part of efforts by the US to crackdown on the Bytedance-run app citing security concerns.
 

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Montana will make it unlawful for Google and Apple's app stores to offer TikTok within the state, but will not impose any penalties on individuals using the app. However, if the app stores found to host the social media application, a fine of $10,000 per day will be imposed.
 
The ban is to take effect from January 1, 2024, and is expected to be challenged legally and will serve as a testing ground for the TikTok-free America that many national lawmakers have envisioned. Cybersecurity experts say it could be difficult to enforce the ban.
 
 
 
Taking to Twitter on Wednesday (local time), the Republican Governor Greg Gianforte announced the ban on TikTok in Montana saying that it is done to protect Montanans' personal and private data from the Chinese Communist Party.
 
 
“TikTok is just one app tied to foreign adversaries. Today I directed the state’s Chief Information Officer to ban any application that provides personal information or data to foreign adversaries from the state network,” he said. “To protect Montanans’ personal and private data from the Chinese Communist Party, I have banned TikTok in Montana. I have issued a disaster declaration to support communities impacted by flooding in northeast, western, and south central Montana,” he added.
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