Montana becomes first US state to ban TikTok

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Rule takes effect on January 1, 2024 and prohibits app stores from offering the app in the state. ByteDance, parent company of TikTok, said the law violated the rights of Montana citizens. TikTok REUTERS Montana has become the first US state to ban TikTok. The law sanctioned this Wednesday (17) by Governor Greg Gianforte, a month after being approved by state legislators. The new law prohibits app stores like Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store from offering TikTok in Montana. The rule takes effect Jan. 1, 2024. Gianforte, of the Republican Party, said the new rule will further the state’s priority of “protecting Montana residents from the surveillance of the Chinese Communist Party.” It also banned the use on government devices of any social networking app that collects and provides personal information or data to other countries. TikTok, controlled by the Chinese company ByteDance, is accused of being linked to the Chinese government and, consequently, being a threat to US security. ByteDance denies the allegations and says it has never shared user data with the Chinese government, nor has it received requests to pass information to Chinese authorities. In a statement following the signing, the company said the new law “infringes on the First Amendment rights of the people of Montana.” The company also said it will “defend the rights” of its users in and out of state.

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