Timely Montana TikTok Ban In Front Of Missoula Judge

In 2023 Montana Banned The App TikTok

Back in May 2023, Montana made national and international news by being the first state to ban the TikTok app In the United States.  The ban is effective as of January 1, 2024.

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Many countries, including America, have banned having the app downloaded on business phones for the government. From NPR, in December 2022, Governor Gianforte banned the use of TikTok on Montana Government devices.  TikTok is banned from the phones of government employees in half of America's states.

TikTok is Taking Montana To Court

From the Associated Press, U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy in Missoula will hear arguments today (10/12/23) in the case filed by TikTok and 5 Montana content creators who want the states ban blocked before it goes into effect on January 1, 2024.

TikTok stated in the court filing that the law is based on unsubstantiated allegations and that Montana can't regulate foreign commerce.  TikTok says Montana could instead pass a law about data collection or require parental controls instead of a ban.

What Happens If The Ban Stays In Place?

Any platform that offers the app, like Google Play or the Apple App Store, will be fined $10,000 a day for offering it in Montana.  The person attempting to download the app would not be fined.

Why Are Western Countries So Afraid Of TikTok?

According to the Associated Press,  western governments don't want sensitive data given to the Chinese government or used to spread misinformation.  In China, the law allows the government to make companies help them gather information.

Who Is Challenging Or Supporting This Ban In Montana?

Challenging the ban, aside from the Montana content creators and TikTok challenging the ban, the Montana chapter of the ACLU along with Electronic Frontier Foundation have submitted an amicus brief supporting the challenge of the ban.

From Reuters, the Montanans challenging the ban are a designer of a sustainable swimwear company, a former Marine that uses TikTok to connect to other veterans, a rancher who shares adventures, a student who also shares her adventures and a man who shares funny videos and earns money from it.

Those working in cybersecurity say it could be really hard to actually enforce a law like this.

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