Montana is the first state to completely ban TikTok after Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) signed a
sweeping bill on Wednesday.
The law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2024, requires app stores to remove the option to
download TikTok in Montana, thus preventing residents from getting the app. A fine of $10,000
per day will be applied to any “entity”—defined as an app store or TikTok—for each time a
Montana resident is offered to access the site or download the app.
Legal challenges to the new measure are expected, including from TikTok and from the
Montana ACLU, which says that the law is an unconstitutional restriction of free speech.
Related: National Guard Questioned Over Airman's Appearance In TikTok Ad
“To protect Montanans’ personal and private data from the Chinese Communist Party, I
have banned TikTok in Montana,” Gianforte tweeted after signing the bill.
To protect Montanans’ personal and private data from the Chinese Communist Party, I have banned TikTok in Montana.
— Governor Greg Gianforte (@GovGianforte) May 17, 2023
This statewide ban follows a measure in December of 2022, which bans the use of the application on all “government-issued devices or while connected to the state network.”
After signing the bill into law, Gianforte gave an additional executive order that expanded the terms of his previous ban. Under the new order, state employees are prohibited from using any social media apps that “provide personal information or data to foreign adversaries.” This measure also applies to any third-party groups
that may be conducting business on behalf of the state.
TikTok is just one app tied to foreign adversaries. Today I directed the state’s Chief Information Officer to ban any application that provides personal information or data to foreign adversaries from the state network. pic.twitter.com/92Im6D9Jgx
— Governor Greg Gianforte (@GovGianforte) May 17, 2023
“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 at the bill-signing Wednesday. “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.”