On Wednesday (17), Montana became the first US state to ban the Chinese app TikTok completely.
Republican Governor Greg Gianforte signed a bill to ban the company from operating within the state and app stores from making the social network app available to Montana users starting January 1.
“That the Chinese Communist Party uses TikTok to spy on Americans, violate their privacy, and collect their personal, private, and confidential information is well documented,” Gianforte claimed in a press release.
The new law provides fines of US$10,000 per day to app stores or TikTok for each user “offered the ability” to access the social network or download the app starting in early 2024.
The penalties would not apply to users, according to the American press.
TikTok’s US spokeswoman, Brooke Oberwetter, called the Montana law “illegal” in a statement and suggested that the company should go to court to overturn it.
In recent months, the US government and states have been closing in on TikTok by banning access to the platform on government devices.
President Joe Biden threatens to ban the app nationwide unless its parent company sells its shares.
His predecessor, Donald Trump (2017-2021), proposed a total ban on TikTok in the United States, but court decisions prevented the measure.
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