TikTok Banned In Montana: May Set A National Precedent Over Social And Security Impact Of Popular Video App

TikTok has now been banned in the US state of Montana. The bill has been signed into law and it may set the precedent for the expulsion of the popular video app from America.

Montana became the first US state to blanket ban TikTok. The law is set to take effect next year and could become the launchpad for the legislature to do away with the Chinese-owned platform owing to its social and security impact on the country.

TikTok To Challenge Ban In Montana

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte signed a bill that effectively prohibits the use of TikTok in the state of Montana. "TikTok may not operate within the territorial jurisdiction of Montana," said a copy of the law on the state's official website.

The ban makes it a violation each time "a user accesses TikTok, is offered the ability to access TikTok, or is offered the ability to download TikTok." Each violation is punishable by a $10,000 fine every day it takes place.

Simply put, not just TikTok users but even the platforms that ensure the availability of the app as well as its services, are liable for a penalty. Specifically speaking, Apple and Google will have to remove TikTok from their app stores, or else these companies will face possible daily fines.

TikTok has already voiced its concern and claimed the ban infringes on the fundamental rights of the citizens of Montana. "Governor Gianforte has signed a bill that infringes on the First Amendment rights of the people of Montana by unlawfully banning TikTok," said a spokeswoman for the company.

TikTok has categorically said saying that the ban's constitutionality will be decided by the courts. In other words, the company that owns and operates TikTok will challenge the law using legal recourse.

TikTok Increasingly Facing Scrutiny In America And Europe, Already Banned In India

The ban on TikTok has not been welcomed by quite a few users as well as some organizations in the state of Montana. However, the law has once again highlighted the growing concerns about TikTok.

Many governments in the Western world have already banned the app's use on government devices. United States, Canada, and several countries in Europe may not have completely banned the app in their countries but have prohibited its officials and employees from using the app.

TikTok has faced a lot of scrutiny in the recent past. It has been accused of spying for the Chinese government. Needless to say, TikTok has strongly denied these allegations.
Incidentally, the governor of Montana has said that he signed the ban in order to "protect Montanans' personal and private data from the Chinese Communist Party."