Montana Bans TikTok, Imposes Penalties Amid , Perceived Security Threat.<br />On May 17, Montana became <br />the first U.S. state to ban TikTok. .<br />TikTok is owned by China-based <br />company ByteDance. .<br />TikTok is owned by China-based <br />company ByteDance. .<br />Vox reports that the ban comes <br />amid concerns that ByteDance's ties to the <br />Chinese government present security risks.<br />Vox reports that the ban comes <br />amid concerns that ByteDance's ties to the <br />Chinese government present security risks.<br />The ban has not only given rise to questions <br />about how it will be enforced, but it is also <br />expected to face legal challenges. .<br />The ban has not only given rise to questions <br />about how it will be enforced, but it is also <br />expected to face legal challenges. .<br />Under the new law, TikTok will be fined $10,000 for each user's <br />first attempt to access the app and an additional $10,000 <br />per day that they are allowed to access the platform.<br />Under the new law, TikTok will be fined $10,000 for each user's <br />first attempt to access the app and an additional $10,000 <br />per day that they are allowed to access the platform.<br />Similar penalties will be imposed <br />on Google and Apple for allowing users <br />in Montana to download TikTok. .<br />Similar penalties will be imposed <br />on Google and Apple for allowing users <br />in Montana to download TikTok. .<br />Vox reports that the new law does not penalize <br />individual users for accessing the app.<br />Montana Governor Greg Gianforte <br />said the law was necessary to , “protect Montanans’ personal and private <br />data from the Chinese Communist Party.”.<br />Montana Governor Greg Gianforte <br />said the law was necessary to , “protect Montanans’ personal and private <br />data from the Chinese Communist Party.”.<br />Lawmakers have cited a 2017 Chinese law that orders <br />all companies operating within the country to fulfill <br />government demands for data related to national security.<br />Vox points out that a 2023 Georgia Institute of Technology <br />report found that social media platforms like Facebook <br />have similar data protection methods to those of TikTok. .<br />Vox points out that a 2023 Georgia Institute of Technology <br />report found that social media platforms like Facebook <br />have similar data protection methods to those of TikTok.
