TikTok sues Montana over app ban
TikTok has launched a federal lawsuit against the state of Montana in response to a recently-passed state law that would ban the popular video service. Filed on Monday in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, the lawsuit is intended to “prevent the state of Montana from unlawfully banning TikTok,” lawyers for the app’s parent company ByteDance wrote. Last week, Montana became the first US state to ban TikTok over allegations the Chinese government can use the app for intelligence-gathering operations. When the ban comes into effect on January 1, 2024, Apple and Google’s app stores will not be legally allowed to offer TikTok to users in Montana, although it’s unclear how those companies will be able to implement the ban.
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte described the ban as an “important measure” intended to advance “our shared priority to protect Montanans from Chinese Communist Party surveillance.” TikTok, meanwhile, disputes Montana’s allegations, stating that the Chinese government “could access data about TikTok users, and that TikTok exposes minors to harmful online content.” The lawsuit claims that “the State cites nothing to support these allegations.”
TikTok has been under fire from US lawmakers over its alleged ties to the Chinese government. Shou Zi Chew, TikTok’s CEO, withstood tough questioning from politicians in March and attempted to assuage their concerns by highlighting the company’s work with US tech giant Oracle to develop infrastructure in Texas intended to store and process people’s data in the country. With the lawsuit, TikTok hopes the court finds Montana’s ban “unconstitutional and preempted by federal law.”
FAQs:
What did Montana do to TikTok?
Montana passed a state law that would ban TikTok from the state over allegations the Chinese government can use the app for intelligence-gathering operations. When the ban comes into effect on January 1, 2024, Apple and Google’s app stores will not be legally allowed to offer TikTok to users in Montana.
Why is TikTok launching a lawsuit against Montana?
TikTok launched a federal lawsuit against Montana in response to the state ban, intending to “prevent the state of Montana from unlawfully banning TikTok,” lawyers for the app’s parent company, ByteDance wrote. The lawsuit claims that Montana’s ban is “unconstitutional and preempted by federal law.”
What is TikTok’s defence against Montana’s allegations?
TikTok disputes Montana’s claims, saying the Chinese government “could access data about TikTok users, and that TikTok exposes minors to harmful online content,” and that Montana’s ban “abridges freedom of speech” and is “violating the First Amendment.” The lawsuit adds that “the State cites nothing to support these allegations.”
What has TikTok done to address concerns over its ties to the Chinese government?
TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, highlighted the company’s work with US tech giant, Oracle, to develop infrastructure in Texas intended to store and process people’s data in the US to address concerns over its alleged ties to the Chinese government.
Montana faces lawsuit from TikTok over banned app
TikTok has taken legal action against Montana after the state passed a law banning the app. The lawsuit was filed on Monday in federal court and aims to “prevent the state of Montana from unlawfully banning TikTok,” wrote lawyers for parent company ByteDance. They argue that the ban infringes on freedom of speech, violates the US Constitution, and is preempted by federal law. Last week, Montana became the first US state to ban TikTok over concerns of Chinese government surveillance. The ban comes into effect on January 1, 2024, but it is unclear how Apple and Google will implement it. TikTok disputes the allegations, saying it has not shared user data with the Chinese government and has measures to protect user privacy. The app has faced scrutiny from US lawmakers over its purported links to China.