In a recent development, a US District Court Judge, Donald Molloy, has issued a temporary injunction on the impending TikTok ban in Montana, which was set to take effect next year. The popular video-sharing app, owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, filed a legal challenge against the ban in May, and Judge Molloy expressed a likelihood that TikTok and its users would prevail in the case.
The judge’s decision stems from concerns that the Montana law potentially infringes on free speech rights and oversteps federal authority in matters related to foreign policy. Molloy highlighted that the legislative focus appeared more on targeting China’s perceived role in TikTok than safeguarding Montana consumers.
Montana’s law includes a provision that renders the TikTok ban void if the app is acquired by a company incorporated in a country not designated as a foreign adversary by the United States. TikTok argued that the ban, signed into law by Republican Governor Greg Gianforte, violates constitutionally protected rights to free speech.
Notably, each violation of the ban carries a substantial $10,000 fine per day, making it a significant legal test with potential implications for a broader national ban on the Chinese-owned platform. The law also mandates Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores.
This development adds another layer to the ongoing global conflicts between TikTok and various governments. The app has already faced bans on government devices in the United States, Canada, and several European countries. The Montana case underscores the complex intersection of technology, geopolitics, and legal considerations in the digital age.
