The increase in users on the vertical video platform has allowed it to spread throughout the world. The growth in the use of TikTok has been very rapid in recent years, despite the fact that the different controversies in which the application has been involved have led to its prohibition or restriction in some countries. For example, in February the European Commission prohibited the installation and use of TikTok on the official and personal devices of workers if they were used for work purposes, all for cybersecurity reasons.
Montana, the first state to ban TikTok
Although in the United States the use of TikTok had already been banned for members of various government agencies due to the alleged influence of the Chinese government in the viral video app, people who did not belong to these organizations could use it. Or at least that’s how it will be until January 2024.
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has signed the law that will ban TikTok in that state for protect its residents of alleged data collection by the Chinese government through this application. Despite the large number of Americans who use the social network (150 million users), on numerous occasions different North American legislators have requested the prohibition of the platform at the national level. So he tried unsuccessfullyDonald Trump in 2020. On the other hand, TikTok has denied on various occasions that the accusation of share information from app users with the government of your country of origin is true.
This censorship of TikTok will become effective on January 1, 2024. On that date, the social network will disappear from app stores both on Android and iOS devices, under threat of a fine of $10,000 per day (about 9,200 euros). In any case, this new law will not penalize those who use the app.
Given this, it has not yet been confirmed if TikTok will carry out some type of legal action, but what is clear is that they do not agree with this decision. They made a statement stating that this New Law Violates First Amendment Rights of Montana People by illegally banning their application and that they would fight to defend the rights of their users inside and outside of this state. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has described this new law as “unconstitutional” and noted that it will come into force if the courts do not take part in this.
Once again, TikTok and the United States face a new controversy that, in the case of becoming effective in the state of Montana, could expand to other states in the country, which would mean a great loss of users for the app. Do you think that at some point they will ban the use of TikTok nationwide in the US?
Stay informed of the most relevant news on our Telegram channel