Montana becomes first state to ban TikTok

April 17, 2023

Montana legislators on Friday became the first to ban TikTok statewide, starting on January 1, 2024.

The bill has not officially been signed into law, but Governor Greg Gianforte, a Republican, is expected to sign it.

It would fine companies $10,000 per violation for allowing users in the state to access the app on their devices.

Critics say the bill violates free speech, but the app poses security concerns because it is China-owned and has the ability to send user data back to that nation.

TikTok will "continue to fight for TikTok users and creators in Montana whose livelihoods and First Amendment rights are threatened by this egregious government overreach," a spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal.

Keep in mind, Montana is the third-least populous state in the country with just over 1.1 million people in the whole state. It was not immediately clear how people would be prevented from using TikTok in the state.