Montana Governor Greg Gianforte on Wednesday signed a bill banning the popular social media app TikTok from operating in the state. The ban, which takes effect on January 1, 2024, is the first of its kind in the United States.
Gianforte said he signed the bill to protect Montanans’ privacy and national security. He has alleged that TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, could be used by the Chinese government to collect data on American citizens.
TikTok has denied these allegations and has said it will challenge the ban in court. The company has also said it is working to address the concerns of the US government.
The ban in Montana is likely to face legal challenges, and it is unclear whether it will be successful. However, it is a sign of the growing concerns about TikTok in the United States.
In addition to Montana, several other states have considered banning TikTok. In March, the US House of Representatives passed a bill that would have banned the app, but it was blocked by the Senate.
The concerns about TikTok stem from its ownership by ByteDance, which is a Chinese company. Some experts have raised concerns that TikTok could be used by the Chinese government to collect data on American citizens.
TikTok has denied these allegations and has said it is committed to protecting the privacy of its users. The company has also said it is working to address the concerns of the US government.
It remains to be seen whether the ban in Montana will be successful. However, it is a sign of the growing concerns about TikTok in the United States.
