Montana became the first state in the United States to ban TikTok from operating within state borders. In a new law signed by Governor Greg Gianforte, TikTok operations are banned for allegedly having close ties to the Chinese Communist Party to spy on Montanans.
The bill will take effect on January 1, 2024 and is expected to be opposed for violating the right to free speech enshrined in the United States constitution. Starting in 2024, the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store cannot offer TikTik on their stores or face fines imposed by Montana. Its use by Montanans is still permitted without penalty.
TikTok has already issued a statement regretting Montana's actions and will fight it in court. The United States wants to pass the RESTRICT Act (Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology) which gives the White House the power to ban applications from abroad that are seen as a risk to national security.
Montana became the first state to outright ban TikTok from operating after becoming the first state to ban the installation of the app on public employee devices last April.
In the same development, starting June 1, the installation of Telegram, WeChat, Temu, CapCut and Lemon8 applications will also be banned from devices owned by Montana civil servants. The same reason was given because it was allegedly used by "America's enemies" namely China and Russia to do espionage. It's no surprise that all of these apps will also be banned from being offered in Montana in the near future just like TikTok.