Jim Acosta Had a Sad Gathering of Resistance Losers in DC
We Are in a Political Game
Democrats Have Suddenly Become Interested in the Epstein Files – I Wonder Why?
Top Lawyer Shuts Down Elon Musk’s Explosive Claim About Trump and Epstein
'Corrupt As Hell': Trump Goes Off on The New York Times and Washington...
The Spat vs. the Scandal
Tehran’s Nuclear Lies Unraveled by Iran’s Democratic Resistance
Trump Administration Blasts Boston Mayor's 'Sickening' Comments About ICE Agents
The Latest Jobs Report Is Here
Musk Changed His Tune on Decommissioning Dragon Amid Trump Feud. Here's Why.
There's Been an Update About That Reported Phone Call Between Trump, Musk Following...
Here's What Jasmine Crockett Thinks Is Going to Help Her Party for 'This...
Disgusting: Major Event in Texas Canceled Over Jihadist Threats
Four Democrat-Led States Urge the FDA to Lift Abortion Pill Restrictions
Scott Jennings Certainly Has Thoughts on KJP’s New Book
Tipsheet

This State Becomes First in Nation to Ban TikTok

AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File

Gov. Greg Gianforte signed Senate Bill 419 into law on Wednesday, making Montana the first state in the nation to ban TikTok for its residents over national security concerns.

Advertisement

“The Chinese Communist Party using TikTok to spy on Americans, violate their privacy, and collect their personal, private, and sensitive information is well-documented,” Gianforte said in a statement. “Today, Montana takes the most decisive action of any state to protect Montanans’ private data and sensitive personal information from being harvested by the Chinese Communist Party.”

The ban will take effect Jan. 1, 2024, though it is likely to face a court challenge, as TikTok, which is owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, argues the state’s actions violate the First Amendment.

“We want to reassure Montanans that they can continue using TikTok to express themselves, earn a living, and find community as we continue working to defend the rights of our users inside and outside of Montana,” TikTok spokesperson Brooke Oberwetter said in a statement.

Advertisement

The American Civil Liberties Union also criticized the move.

“With this ban, Governor Gianforte and the Montana legislature have trampled on the free speech of hundreds of thousands of Montanans who use the app to express themselves, gather information, and run their small business in the name of anti-Chinese sentiment,” said ACLU of Montana’s Keegan Medrano. “We will never trade our First Amendment rights for cheap political points.”

Only distributors are subject to penalization, not TikTok users. App stores that continue offering TikTok to Montana’s 1.1 million residents could face $10,000 per violation, and $10,000 each day the violation continues. 

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement