Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

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.

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Munich Airport Reopens After Second Drone Shutdown
Pro Europe and Anti-War Babiš Poised to Return to Power After Czech Parliamentary Vote
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Sentenced to Fifty Months in Prison Following Prostitution Conviction
Altman Says GPT-5 Already Outpaces Him, Warns AI Could Automate 40% of Work
Russian Research Vessel 'Yantar' Tracked Mapping Europe’s Subsea Cables, Raising Security Alarms
Global Cruise Industry Posts Dramatic Comeback with 34.6 Million Passengers in 2024
U.S. Demands Brussels Scrutinize Digital Rules to Prevent Bias Against American Tech
Private Equity’s Fundraising Surge Triggers Concern of European Market Shake-Out
Tokyo’s Jimbōchō Named World’s Coolest Neighbourhood for 2025
European Officials Fear Trump May Shift Blame for Ukraine War onto EU
The Personality Rights Challenge in India’s AI Era
Italy Considers Freezing Retirement Age at 67 to Avert Scheduled Hike
Italian City to Impose Tax on Visiting Dogs Starting in 2026
Study Finds No Safe Level of Alcohol for Dementia Risk
Trump Says Ukraine Can Fully Restore Borders with NATO Backing
Europe Signals Stronger Support for Taiwan at Major Taipei Defence Show
Germany Weighs Excluding France from Key European Fighter Jet Programme
Cyberattack Disrupts Check-in and Boarding Systems at Major European Airports
Björn Borg Breaks Silence: Memoir Reveals Addiction, Shame and Cancer Battle
When Extremism Hijacks Idealism: How the Baader-Meinhof Gang Emerged and Fell
JWST Data Brings TRAPPIST-1e Closer to Earth-Like Habitability
Trump Orders $100,000 Fee on H-1B Visas and Launches ‘Gold Card’ Immigration Pathway
France’s Looming Budget Crisis and Political Fracture Raise Fears of Becoming Europe’s “Sick Man”
Three Russian MiG-31 Jets Breach Estonian Airspace in ‘Unprecedentedly Brazen’ NATO Incident
European manufacturers against ban on polluting cars: "The industry may collapse"
Turkish car manufacturer Togg Enters German Market with 5-Star Electric Sedan and SUV to Challenge European EV Brands
Christian Brueckner Released from German Prison after Serving Unrelated Sentence
World’s Longest Direct Flight China Eastern to Launch 29-Hour Shanghai–Buenos Aires Direct Flight via Auckland in December
New OpenAI Study Finds Majority of ChatGPT Use Is Personal, Not Professional
The conservative right spreads westward: a huge achievement for 'Alternative for Germany' in local elections
Pope Leo Warns of Societal Crisis Over Mega-CEO Pay, Citing Tesla’s Proposed Trillion-Dollar Package
Poland Green-Lights NATO Deployment in Response to Major Russian Drone Incursion
U.S. and China Agree on Framework to Shift TikTok to American Ownership
Le Pen Tightens the Pressure on Macron as France Edges Toward Political Breakdown
Czech Republic signs €1.34 billion contract for Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks with delivery from 2028
Penske Media Sues Google Over “AI Overviews,” Claiming It Uses Journalism Without Consent and Destroys Traffic
Indian Student Engineers Propose “Project REBIRTH” to Protect Aircraft from Crashes Using AI, Airbags and Smart Materials
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
The New Life of Novak Djokovic
German police raid AfD lawmaker’s offices in inquiry over Chinese payments
Volkswagen launches aggressive strategy to fend off Chinese challenge in Europe’s EV market
France Erupts in Mass ‘Block Everything’ Protests on New PM’s First Day
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Violation During Ukraine Attack
Apple Introduces Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Enhanced 17 Series and New Health-Focused Wearables
Macron Appoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis and Political Turmoil
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
France joins Eurozone’s ‘periphery’ as turmoil deepens, say investors
×