Source: BBC News [UK state media]
“Montana is set to become the first US state to ban Chinese-owned media giant TikTok from personal devices. Governor Greg Gianforte signed the ban into law on Wednesday. It is due to take effect on 1 January. The video-sharing platform says the ban ‘infringes on the First Amendment rights of the people of Montana.’ TikTok has [been used to curry moral panic by] authorities around the world over concerns [sic] that data could be passed to the Chinese government. Mr Gianforte, a Republican, told lawmakers that a wider ban would further ‘our shared priority to protect Montanans from Chinese Communist Party surveillance.’ … technology giants like Apple and Google could face fines if they allow TikTok to be downloaded in Montana from their app stores.” (05/18/23)