• Montana is the first state to completely ban TikTok

• Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the bill today (Wednesday)

• Law would take effect Jan 1, 2024

  • Possible that it could be blocked from taking effect on that date due to court challenges

• The new law prohibits downloads of TikTok in the state and would fine any "entity" (app store or TikTok) $10,000 per day every time someone is "offered the ability" to download the app or access the app

  • There are no penalties to users

• Opponents to the ban say that Montanans could easily use a VPN

  • Montana officials say that geofencing technology is used with online sports gambling apps

• The measure is expected to be challenged legally

• TikTok has said it is going to fight back against the ban unsurprisingly

• Montana's Attorney General has already said he expects the new law will end up in court

• The Montana bill says that if TikTok were acquired by or sold to a company that is not incorporated in a country that is "designated as a foreign adversary" then the law would be void

PC: AP