TikTok, the social media app that has caused an uproar, as some countries challenge it to have it banned due to its security.
On Wednesday, Montana, became the first US state to ban TikTok. The new law will take effect next year as a debate soars up over the impart and security of the social media app.
The ban which was signed into law by Governor Greg Gianforte will serve as a legal test for a national ban of the app, something that lawmakers in Washington DC are issuing.
“TikTok may not operate within the territorial jurisdiction of Montana.” stated a copy of law at the state website.
The ban makes its a violation each time “a user accesses TikTok, is offered the ability to access it, or is offered the ability to download to download it.”
If one breaks the law, you are punishable by a $10,000 fine every day it takes place.
Under the new law, major companies such as Apple and Google will have to remove TikTok from their app stores and companies will face possibly daily fines.
The move will be challenged by lawsuits.
The states political leaders have “trampled on the free speech of hundreds of thousands of Montana’s who use the app to express themselves, gather information, and run their small business in the name of anti-Chinese sentiment,” said ACLU Montana policy director Keegan Medrano.
The New Law
The prohibition will take effect in 2024, but be nullified if TikTok is acquired by a company incorporated in a country not designated by the United States as a foreign adeversery, the law read.
“Governor Gianforte has signed a bill that infringes on the First Amendment rights of the people of Montana by unlawfully banning TikTok,” a spokeswoman of the company told AFP.
“We want to reassure Montana’s 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 Montana.”
However, TikTok has said that the ban’s constitutionally will finally be decided by the courts.
The law is latest clash between TikTok and many western governments, with the app already banned on government devices in the U.S, Canada and other countries in Europe.
TikTok, the social media app owned by Chinese firm Byte Dance is accused by a US politicians of being under the care of the Chinese government and a tool of spying by Beijing, an accuse that the company denies.
Despite its popularity, TikTok faces an ultimatum by the White House that it split from its Chinese owners or to stop operating in America.
Also Read: Canada Bans TikTok On Government Devices
