State Attorneys General Back Montana's Effort To Ban TikTok
Attorneys Urge Judge To Reject Legal Challenges
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September 19, 2023
Regarding the future of the popular short video app TikTok, a group of 18 state attorneys general have announced their support for Montana's effort to ban the Chinese-owned platform, Reuters reported.
The attorneys general, led by Virginia and including Georgia, Alaska, Utah, and South Dakota, are urging a U.S. judge to reject the legal challenges brought forth by TikTok and its users ahead of the anticipated January 1 effective date of the ban.
On September 18, the Congressional Record made note of Congressmembers comments on how TikTok has been used to "push propaganda" in the United States, which is a major driving concern of Congress to ban the app.
Likewise, state attorneys argue that TikTok engages in deceptive business practices that result in the sharing of sensitive personal information that can be easily accessed by the Chinese Communist Party. They believe that the app's data practices present a threat to national security and the privacy of American users.
TikTok, which is owned by China's ByteDance, filed a lawsuit in May seeking to block the first-of-its-kind state ban on several grounds. The company argues that the ban infringes upon its First Amendment free speech rights, as well as the rights of its users.
The state attorneys general have now submitted a brief to the U.S. judge overseeing the case, outlining their support for Montana's ban and urging the court to dismiss TikTok's legal challenges. They maintain that the ban is necessary to protect the privacy and security of American citizens.
This latest development adds yet another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal battle between TikTok and the U.S. government. In addition to the state-level ban, the app is also facing scrutiny from the federal government over national security concerns. The U.S. Department of Commerce previously issued executive orders calling for TikTok's removal from U.S. app stores, citing concerns over the potential for Chinese government access to American users' data.
While TikTok has vehemently denied these claims and taken steps to address security concerns, the backlash against the platform continues to grow. In response to the proposed state ban and the federal government's actions, TikTok has launched a legal battle to fight for its right to operate in the United States.
The outcome of the legal proceedings will have far-reaching implications for both TikTok and the larger tech industry. If the state ban is ultimately upheld, it could set a precedent for other states to follow suit and potentially result in the loss of millions of American users for the app.
On the other hand, if TikTok is successful in its legal efforts, it may create a pathway for other foreign-owned apps to operate freely in the United States, raising further concerns about national security and data privacy.
As the legal battle unfolds, TikTok continues to be one of the most widely used social media platforms in the world, with millions of daily active users. The outcome of the case will significantly impact the app's future and its ability to maintain its user base in the United States.