Five TikTok users in the United States have filed a lawsuit against the state of Montana, which plans to implement a TikTok ban law starting next year.
According to the Associated Press on the 18th (local time), five TikTok users filed a complaint in the federal court of Missoula, Montana, the previous afternoon, claiming that Montana’s TikTok ban bill violates freedom of expression.
In their complaint, they argued that the state of Montana had no authority in matters of national security.
He also added, “Just as the Wall Street Journal cannot be banned because of its owner or ideology, we cannot prohibit residents from viewing or posting on TikTok.”
In response, Montana Department of Justice spokeswoman Emily Flower said, “We have anticipated a legal challenge and are fully prepared to defend the lawsuit.”
TikTok also argued that Montana’s ban on TikTok violates the First Amendment to the Constitution, which specifies freedom of expression. However, TikTok declined to respond to specific inquiries from the Associated Press.
According to the complaint, the five TikTok users who filed the lawsuit are former US military officers and ranchers who share outdoor activities. Some of them are said to be making a lot of money through TikTok.
Previously, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte signed a bill banning all residents from using TikTok the day before.
Gov. Gianforte said on Twitter: “TikTok has been banned to protect the personal and private data of Montana residents from the Chinese Communist Party.”
If the bill goes into effect next year, Montana will become the first state out of the 50 states to ban TikTok. Previously, US President Joe Biden banned federal government employees from using TikTok on government-owned devices last year, but this is the first time that a total ban has been applied to the general public.
The bill prevents mobile app store providers from accepting TikTok downloads in Montana. It is a way to fine TikTok or the App Store, not the user. If someone downloads it, they will be fined 10,000 dollars (about 13 million won) per day.
The bill stated that “TikTok’s stealing of users’ information and data and sharing that data with the Chinese Communist Party is an unacceptable invasion of the privacy of Montana residents.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.