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Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a measure Wednesday banning TikTok in Montana, making it the first state in the United States to completely ban the social media app amid skepticism from lawmakers.
Montana’s ban is the most restrictive measure on TikTok, which is owned by a Chinese tech company, in the United States. It is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2024, and is expected to be challenged in court.
„Today, Montana takes the most decisive action of any state to protect Montanans‘ private data and sensitive personal information from being harvested by the Chinese Communist Party,“ Gianforte said in a statement.
Lawmakers from both political parties have raised concerns over TikTok’s potential threat to national security, including if the app could be used by the Chinese government to spy on U.S. citizens. There has also been a growing number of red states that have issued TikTok bans on government-issued devices.
Montana’s measure was introduced in February by the state’s GOP-controlled Legislature and sparked months of national debate before it was easily passed by the House last month. But cybersecurity experts say it could be difficult to enforce the ban.
TikTok spokesperson Brooke Oberwetter said the law infringes on people’s First Amendment rights and is unlawful.
