The state of Montana could soon ban TikTok from being offered for download to its residents, according to a new bill put forward by lawmakers. Senate Bill 419 also includes provisions to prevent the operation of the app within Montana’s borders. Additionally, the bill would impose fines on Apple and Google if the TikTok app remains available for download in their app stores despite the new rules.
While the law has yet to be adopted, its implications for TikTok could be significant. The video-sharing platform, which is owned by China’s ByteDance, has faced increasing pressure from American lawmakers who fear that the Chinese government could use the app to spy on US citizens. TikTok has repeatedly denied that it would ever share data with the Chinese government, and maintains that it has not done so to date.
In response to the proposed Montana ban, a TikTok spokesperson stated that the company would continue to fight for the rights of its users and creators. The statement also noted that the move represented a “glaring abuse” by the government.