PanamaTimes

Thursday, Mar 28, 2024

0:00
0:00

TikTok Sues Montana Over Law Banning the App

TikTok, the popular social media app owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has sued the state of Montana over a law that would ban the app in the state.

The law, which was signed by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte last week, would take effect on January 1, 2024. It would prohibit TikTok from operating within the state and would also prohibit app stores from offering the app for download.

TikTok argues that the law is unconstitutional and violates its First Amendment rights. The company also argues that the law is based on unfounded concerns about the security of its data.

"TikTok is a popular and widely used platform for millions of Americans," the company said in a statement. "The state of Montana's law is a clear violation of the First Amendment and will have a chilling effect on free speech."

The law is the first of its kind in the United States. It is unclear whether other states will follow Montana's lead.

The case is being closely watched by legal experts and tech companies. It could have implications for the future of social media in the United States.

Background

TikTok is a popular social media app that allows users to create and share short videos. The app has been downloaded over 2 billion times and has over 1 billion active users.

In 2020, then-President Donald Trump issued an executive order that would have banned TikTok from the United States. The order was based on concerns that TikTok could be used by the Chinese government to collect data on American users.

A federal judge blocked the order, and the Trump administration eventually withdrew it. However, the concerns about TikTok's security have persisted.

The Law

The law that TikTok is suing over was passed by the Montana Legislature in April 2023. The law prohibits TikTok from operating within the state and also prohibits app stores from offering the app for download.

The law is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2024.

The Argument

TikTok argues that the law is unconstitutional and violates its First Amendment rights. The company also argues that the law is based on unfounded concerns about the security of its data.

In its lawsuit, TikTok argues that the law is a "content-based restriction on speech" that is "presumptively invalid." The company also argues that the law is "not narrowly tailored" to its purported goal of protecting national security.

TikTok also argues that the law is based on "prejudice and stereotypes" about China. The company says that the law "is a thinly veiled attempt to discriminate against Chinese companies and their products."

The Implications

The case of TikTok vs. Montana is being closely watched by legal experts and tech companies. It could have implications for the future of social media in the United States.

If TikTok is successful in its lawsuit, it could set a precedent that would make it more difficult for states to ban social media apps. This could have a chilling effect on free speech and could make it more difficult for social media companies to operate in the United States.

On the other hand, if Montana is successful in its lawsuit, it could set a precedent that would allow states to ban social media apps that they believe are a threat to national security. This could lead to a patchwork of laws across the country, making it difficult for social media companies to operate.

The case is still in its early stages, and it is too early to say what the outcome will be. However, the case is likely to have a significant impact on the future of social media in the United States.

Newsletter

Related Articles

PanamaTimes
0:00
0:00
Close
Apple warns against drying iPhones with rice
In a recent High Court hearing, the U.S. argued that Julian Assange endangered lives by releasing classified information.
Global Law Enforcement Dismantles Lockbit Ransomware Operation
Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny has died at the Arctic prison colony
The President of Argentina Javier Mile does not fly private, he flies commercial, with the citizens he represents. And they LOVE him for it.
Bitcoin Reaches $50,000 for First Time in Over Two Years
Belo Horizonte: Brazil's Rising Carnival Hotspot for 2024
In El Salvador, the 'Trump of Latin America' stuns the world with a speech slamming woke policing after winning a landslide election
Tucker’s interview with Putin is over 50M views on X within the first 5 hours.
Finnish Airline, Finnair, is voluntarily weighing passengers to better estimate flight cargo weight
President Nayib Bukele has proudly announced El Salvador's remarkable achievement of becoming the safest nation in the Western Hemisphere.
Former Chilean President Sebastian Piñera Dies in Helicopter Crash
This farmer seems to understand science a bit more than the event organizer, Klaus Schwab.
Facebook turns 20: From Mark Zuckerberg's dormitory to a $1trn company
The Coolest Dictator in the World" on the Path to Victory in El Salvador
Macron, France and fake news
Indian-Origin Man 'King' Arrested For Smuggling $16 Million Drugs Into US
Can someone teach Americans that not every person with slanted eyes is Chinese?
Europe's Farmers Feeding the People, Protesting Against Politicians Who Do Nothing for Their Country and Serve Only Themselves at Taxpayers' Expense
Paris Restaurant That Inspired 'Ratatouille' Loses $1.6 Million Worth Of Wine
Brazilian Police Investigate Bolsonaro's Son for Alleged Illegal Spying
Police in Brazil Raid Residence of Bolsonaro Associate Over Allegations of Illegal Spying
Border Dispute Escalates as Texas Governor Vows Increased Razor Wire
OpenAI Enhances ChatGPT-4 Model, Potentially Addressing AI "Laziness" Issue
The NSA finally acknowledges spying on Americans by acquiring sensitive data
Report Reveals Toxic Telegram Group Generating X-Rated AI-Generated Fake Images of Taylor Swift
US Border Patrol States 'No Plans' to Remove Razor Wire Installed in Texas
Bitcoin Experiences Approximately 20% Decline in Value
Klaus Schwab recently appointed himself as the Earth's "trustee of the future."
DeSantis Drops Out, Endorses Trump.
Nikki Haley said former President Trump is "just not at the same level" of mental fitness as he was while president in 2016.
Residents of a southern Mexican town set the government palace on fire in response to the police killing of a young man
Samsung Launches AI-Driven Galaxy S24, Ushering in New Smartphone Era
Judge Questions SEC's Regulatory Overreach in Coinbase Lawsuit
The Ecuador prosecutor who was investigating the television studio attack, has been assassinated.
Is artificial intelligence the solution to cyber security threats?
Vivek Ramaswamy suspends his US election campaign and endorses Trump.
Viral Satire: A Staged Satirical Clip Mistaken as Real Footage from the 2024 World Economic Forum in Davos
The AI Revolution in the Workforce: CEOs at Davos Predict Major Job Cuts in 2024
Ecuador Reports 178 Hostages in Prison Gang Standoff
The Startling Cuban Espionage Case That Has Rattled the US Government
Two Armed Men in Ecuador, Dressed as Batman and The Joker Storm the Streets.
Armed Gang Raids Ecuadorian TV Station Following State of Emergency Declaration
Anti-Democratic Canada: Journalist Arrested for Questioning Canadian Finance Minister on Support of Terrorist Group
Ecuador's 'Most-Wanted' Criminal Vanishes from Prison
Mexican Cartel Supplied Wi-Fi to Locals Under Threat of Fatal Consequences for Non-Compliance
Border Surge Leads to Over 11,000 Migrants Waiting in Northern Mexico
Outsider Candidates Triumph in Latin American Elections
As Argentina Goes to the Polls, Will the Proposal to Replace the Peso with the Dollar Secure Votes?
Fatal Shark Attack Claims Life of Boston Woman Paddleboarding Near Bahamas Resort, According to Police
×