Montana has become the first US state to pass legislation to ban TikTok on personal devices, which will be effective should Governor Greg Gianforte approve SB 419, but what is it and how will it affect the platform users?
The new bill comes in the wake of Congress’s concerns about the Chinese app allegedly sharing the data of Americans with its government, which was denied by TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew when he was grilled by United States politicians.
While the Montana Gov. has already restricted TikTok from all state government devices and networks connected to them, the passing of SB 419 can severely impact the livelihood of individual content creators across the region.
- ALSO READ: How old is the TikTok Ceo Shou Zi Chew?
What is SB 419, ‘an act banning TikTok in Montana’?
Senator Bill 419 or SB 419 is legislation passed by lawmakers in Montana to impose a ban on TikTok.
It specifically targets TikTok, on the grounds of the users’ information being threatened by the app’s safety policies. While the bill focuses on banning the Chinese app on personal devices, it will only penalize Internet providers or mobile application stores that offer access to TikTok.
A single violation of the provisions would result in a penalty of $10,000 and an additional $10,000 each day the violation continues.
However, the bill doesn’t penalize individual users for accessing the app.
Has the app been banned in the state already?
No, TikTok hasn’t been banned on personal devices in Montana yet. The lawmakers voted 54-43 on Friday, giving their final approval to the bill which aims at banning the app.
However, it has now been sent to the Governor and should he approve it, the ban will be effective starting January next year.
A spokesperson for Gre told CNN: “The governor will carefully consider any bill the legislature sends to his desk.”
However, the move is being resisted by civil society groups that have argued that the ban violates Montanans’ First Amendment rights to free expression and access to information.
A letter by the American Civil Liberties Union to the state lawmakers read:
“SB 419 is censorship — it would unjustly cut Montanans off from a platform where they speak out and exchange ideas every day, and it would set an alarming precedent for excessive government control over how Montanans use the internet.”
This could be influencers’ worst nightmare
In countries where TikTok is legal, the app has become the main source or only source of income for influencers and content creators.
Obviously, the lawmakers’ move towards banning has sent a shockwave through Montanans. Look the some of the reactions shared on Twitter below:
Another said: “Did Montana really ban TikTok? This can’t be the real world.”
A third person said: “See that Montana is trending. Because they’re banning TikTok. Which is sad.”
“Any creators in Montana? I heard they’ve officially banned TikTok. Time to move” wrote another.
The post Montana's TikTok users will not be penalized for accessing app even if ban is effective appeared first on HITC.
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