Montana became the first US state to pass a ban on TikTok from personal devices

Montana became the first US state to pass a ban on TikTok from personal devices

Montana is the first US state to enact legislation that forbids the use of TikTok on mobile devices. The owner of TikTok, ByteDance, has been accused of jeopardising national security by gathering user information.

If Governor Greg Gianforte approves the law and signs the paper, the ban might take effect in January.

The company has said that it will sue in an effort to overturn the Montana statute.

SB 419, the proposed piece of legislation, was adopted 54 to 43. It enumerates several problems with TikTok, especially alleged Chinese government snooping.

Additionally, it relates to the encouragement of “dangerous activities among young users,” like “throwing objects at moving automobiles” or “lighting a mirror on fire and then attempting to extinguish it using only one’s body parts.”

TikTok cannot be sold through app stores due to the law. Those who already own TikTok are still permitted to use it, though.

“The Montana Department of Justice” would enforce any violations of the law, which may result in fines of up to $10,000 (£8,000). Companies rather than individual users are subject to the sanctions.

It is anticipated that Mr. Gianforte, a Republican who previously prohibited the software from being installed on the cellphones of government employees, will sign it.

Governments all over the world, including the United States, have restricted the use of TikTok on office devices.

ByteDance was warned by the president of the United States, Joe Biden, in March that if the firm does not sell its stake in the app, it may be subject to a federal ban.

The software “screams” of potential security issues, FBI Director Christopher Wray told a Senate committee in March. Industry associations have also condemned Montana’s law and related initiatives to limit app access.

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