The state of Montana is on the verge of becoming the first in the US to completely ban TikTok. The Montana bill proposing to ban TikTok is more comprehensive than similar proposals in almost half of all US states. It has received support from the state’s Republican-led Legislature. However, legal challenges are expected to follow.
Background of the ban
The Chinese-owned tech company, ByteDance’s TikTok, has faced significant scrutiny over fears that it may provide user data to the Chinese government or disseminate pro-Beijing propaganda and disinformation on its platform. The concerns surrounding Chinese tech companies and their possible links to the Chinese government have been ongoing for some time. Chinese laws such as the National Intelligence Law and Cybersecurity Law have been used to support the argument that Chinese companies could be coerced into handing over user data or providing access to their technology to the government.
Furthermore, there have been instances where Chinese companies have engaged in questionable activities. For example, ByteDance disclosed that it fired employees for unauthorized data access, which raises questions about whether these companies prioritize government interests over user privacy and security.
It is important to note that the US is not alone in its decision to ban Chinese apps. India banned several Chinese apps in 2020 due to national security concerns, while other countries such as Australia and Japan have taken measures to limit Chinese tech companies’ involvement in their technology infrastructure.
However, it is crucial to understand that not all Chinese tech companies are the same, and some have been more transparent and cooperative with foreign governments than others. Additionally, it is important to consider the impact that a ban on these apps could have on US users who rely on them for communication or other purposes.
The Montana ban proposal
Montana’s proposed bill seeks to prohibit the download of TikTok in the state and impose penalties on entities that violate the law. However, users themselves would not be penalized for downloading or using the app. The bill would hold app stores and TikTok accountable for violating the law and impose a fine of $10,000 for each violation. A violation would occur each time a user accesses TikTok or is offered the ability to access the platform or download the app. In addition, a daily fine of $10,000 would be imposed for every day the violation continues.
It is worth noting that the bill only targets TikTok and does not ban other social media apps that collect similar types of data from their users. The bill’s proposed penalties are significant and could have an impact on the companies’ operations if they choose to continue offering their services in the state. However, the bill still needs to go through the legislative process before it becomes law, and it remains to be seen if it will be enacted.
Response from TikTok
TikTok, which has 150 million users in the US, has been pushing back against the bill. ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is fighting against Montana’s proposed ban on the app by encouraging users to speak out and hiring lobbyists. The company has also launched a campaign opposing the legislation.
TikTok has been negotiating with the Biden administration on the security concerns tied to the app. TikTok has been trying to avoid a ban in the US by selling a data safety proposal called “Project Texas” to route all US user data to Oracle servers. The ban on TikTok in Montana is controversial and may face legal challenges. While supporters of the ban cite national security concerns, opponents argue that it violates free speech rights and could set a dangerous precedent. It remains to be seen whether other states will follow Montana’s lead in banning the popular social media platform.
TikTok, a popular social media platform, is facing increasing scrutiny over concerns about user data privacy and security. Now, Montana is poised to become the first state in the US to completely ban the app, going beyond the bans in place in nearly half of all other states and the federal government’s ban on government devices.
Read more: Australia bans TikTok on Government Devices
Montana’s proposed ban, which is backed by the state’s GOP-controlled legislature, would prohibit downloads of TikTok in the state and impose a penalty of $10,000 per violation on any entity that violates the law. While penalties would not apply to users, internet service providers were originally included as liable for any violations in the prior version of the bill, a provision that was later scrapped.
