Federal Judge Blocks Montana’s TikTok Ban

A US district judge has halted Montana’s pioneering attempt to ban TikTok, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2024. The judge’s decision dealt a blow to the state’s first-in-the-nation ban on the popular video app, asserting that the prohibition “oversteps state power” and appears more targeted at China’s perceived role in TikTok than safeguarding Montana consumers.

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte signed the controversial law in May, aiming to impose a comprehensive ban on TikTok across the state. The law, which goes beyond restrictions implemented by over 30 states and federal agencies, faced legal challenges from TikTok and five Montana-based content creators.

U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy, in a preliminary injunction issued on Thursday, acknowledged that TikTok presented “the better arguments” and demonstrated a likelihood of success on the legal merits. While the ban could potentially be reinstated following an unscheduled trial, Molloy’s injunction raised concerns about the law’s constitutionality and the absence of evidence supporting claims of Chinese interference.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, who drafted the law, expressed a preliminary stance, emphasizing that the matter was ongoing and the analysis might evolve as the case progressed. Emilee Cantrell, a spokeswoman for Knudsen, stated, “We look forward to presenting the complete legal argument to defend the law that protects Montanans from the Chinese Communist Party obtaining and using their data.”

TikTok, owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, welcomed the judge’s decision. A TikTok spokesperson, Alex Haurek, stated, “We are pleased the judge rejected this unconstitutional law and hundreds of thousands of Montanans can continue to express themselves, earn a living, and find community on TikTok.”

Montana’s argument that TikTok posed a national security risk, allowing potential spying or indoctrination of Montanans, faced skepticism from the court. Molloy’s 48-page injunction highlighted the ban’s infringement on the First Amendment, potentially violating free speech rights for over 300,000 Montanans who use the app.

The legal clash between the state and TikTok gained national attention, with civil liberties groups, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, celebrating the injunction. David Greene, EFF’s director of civil liberties, stated, “We are pleased that a federal judge has blocked the state from violating their rights by banning this speech platform.”

This development follows a trend of legal challenges against TikTok bans initiated by Republican-led states. While Montana’s ban faced setbacks, other states, such as Indiana, have seen similar attempts dismissed by the courts.


Information for this briefing was found via the Washington Post, Axios, and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.

Leave a Reply

Video Articles

We’re At The Start of a Great Silver Boom | Ross McElroy & Andy Bowering – Apollo Silver Corp

Equinox Gold Q1 Earnings: When Everything Goes Wrong

SSR Mining Q1 Earnings: Costs Continue To Climb

Recommended

First Majestic Makes Second Major Discovery At Santa Elena In Just A Year

PTX Metals Hits 235.1 Metres Of Copper, Nickel Mineralization In Longest Intercept To Date At W2

Related News

California Federal Court Rules TikTok Pixel Violates Privacy Law

A federal court in California has issued a ruling that could reshape the landscape of...

Wednesday, August 7, 2024, 01:46:00 PM

TikTok Mulls Split From Chinese Parent, But Users Hardly Care

TikTok’s executives are considering splitting off from ByteDance Ltd., their Chinese parent organization, as a...

Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 12:05:00 PM

TikTok Tries — But Fails — to Rally Users Against App Ban

Beijing-based ByteDance, the owner of popular video-sharing app TikTok, made a last-ditch effort this week...

Friday, April 26, 2024, 12:56:00 PM

Senate Bill On Chinese Tech Ban May Include TikTok

Virginia Senator Mark Warner, chairman of the US Senate Intelligence Committee, wants to present legislation...

Monday, March 6, 2023, 11:21:00 AM

Fresh Revelations Raise Doubts On TikTok’s “Independence” From Beijing

In a fresh wave of disclosures made public this week, the House Select Committee on...

Saturday, January 18, 2025, 05:30:00 PM