The recent upheaval surrounding TikTok has left Montana users in a state of uncertainty. While former President Donald Trump pledged to maintain the app’s functionality, Montana officials are pushing to ban it. This clash has stirred debate across the state, with users questioning the future of TikTok in Montana.
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen stated, “We know the Chinese Communist Party is using TikTok to steal data and spy on Americans. It should be banned as Congress intended and the Supreme Court affirmed.” In 2023, Knudsen championed a bill that was signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte, aiming to prohibit TikTok in Montana. Kaitlin Price, Gianforte’s spokesperson, reiterated the governor’s commitment to safeguarding Montanans from foreign adversaries.
The bill faced legal challenges, and a federal judge blocked the state’s ban after TikTok and users filed lawsuits, which were merged into one case. The lawsuit is paused pending a decision on a related federal ban. Upon taking office, Trump issued an executive order potentially extending the timeframe for ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to sell the app, thereby offering a temporary reprieve.
However, uncertainty lingers in Montana. Content creator Heather DiRocco, a plaintiff in the 2023 lawsuit, expressed ongoing concerns, describing the app’s temporary shutdown as “the definition of censorship.” She highlighted TikTok’s role in fostering community among Montanans. Dale Stout, another creator involved in the lawsuit, emphasized the personal connections formed through the platform, which are vital for Montana businesses to reach customers.
Montana users can access TikTok for now, but the app’s future is uncertain. Stout remarked, “Anything’s possible from here on out.” This ongoing saga leaves many wondering about the final verdict on TikTok’s presence in Montana.
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