Montana Becomes First State to Ban TikTok in Response to Chinese Communist Party’s Use of App to Spy on Americans

On Wednesday, May 17, 2023, Montana became the first state in the United States to ban the popular social media app TikTok. Governor Greg Gianforte signed the bill into law, citing the Chinese Communist Party’s use of the app to spy on Americans, violate their privacy, and collect their personal, private, and sensitive information.

The bill, which was passed in April, makes it illegal for app stores to offer the option to download TikTok and also illegal for the company to operate within the state. The Montana Department of Justice will be responsible for enforcing the penalties for those who violate the law.

In a news release, Governor Gianforte praised the bill’s privacy protections and said that it was the “most decisive action of any state.” He also took to Twitter to announce the ban, writing, “To protect Montanans’ personal and private data from the Chinese Communist Party, I have banned TikTok in Montana.”

The ban is likely to face challenges in court, as it may be argued that it restricts free speech. However, the Governor’s office is standing by the decision, citing the need to protect Montanans’ data from the Chinese Communist Party.

It remains to be seen whether other states will follow Montana’s lead and ban the app. In the meantime, the Montana Department of Justice will be responsible for enforcing the penalties for those who violate the law.