People living in Montana will soon need to download a VPN service to keep accessing TikTok. Republican Governor Greg Gianforte signed for the proposed ban to become law on Wednesday, May 17, with the block due to be officially enforced on January 1, 2024. Montana is now the first US state to ban TikTok, raising concerns over free speech rights and sparking discussions about the future of the Chinese social media giant in the country.
The ban comes amid growing scrutiny of TikTok in the US and its allied nations. Politicians are particularly worried about the app’s ties to Beijing, expressing concerns that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) could access US user data and spread nationalist propaganda. While the US government has yet to provide concrete evidence of alleged wrongdoings, the RESTRICT Act aims to completely ban TikTok in the US, a goal that Montana seems to have achieved.
Critics argue that the ban infringes on Americans’ digital rights and have voiced concerns about potential consequences. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Montana stated that the ban undermines the free speech rights of Montanans who use TikTok for self-expression, information gathering, and running their small businesses. However, Governor Gianforte and the Montana legislature maintain that the ban is necessary to protect Montanans from Chinese Communist Party surveillance.
The law will prohibit TikTok from operating within Montana’s borders and require app stores to prevent residents from downloading the app. Non-compliance could result in substantial fines. As a result, VPN providers are urging Montana residents to consider securing a VPN service before the ban takes effect to ensure continued access to TikTok and potential security vulnerabilities.
TikTok is expected to challenge the new law in court, and the company has assured Montanans that they can continue using the app as they work to defend the rights of their users inside and outside of Montana. The ban raises important questions about digital freedom and the power of state-level regulations over popular social media platforms, setting the stage for a legal battle that could have broader implications beyond Montana’s borders.
