Montana legislators approved bill to ban TikTok

Montana legislators have approved a bill, SB 419, which would ban TikTok from operating in the state and prevent mobile app stores from offering the app for download to users in Montana. The ban would result in fines for TikTok, Apple, and Google if they violate the law, although it is uncertain how the state would enforce it. The bill now awaits the signature of Montana Governor Greg Gianforte.

TikTok has opposed the ban, stating that it is an infringement on users' First Amendment rights and that the company is fighting for their livelihoods. TikTok, which is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese tech company, is facing growing scrutiny over concerns about the Chinese government's potential influence on the app. The company has denied sharing user data with the Chinese government and is working on Project Texas, which aims to store American user data on servers operated by Oracle.