If it's approved, a final House vote would likely take place Friday, after which the bill would be forwarded to Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte.
FILE - The icon for the video sharing TikTok app is seen on a smartphone, Feb. 28, 2023, in Marple Township, Pa. Montana lawmakers were expected to take a big step forward Thursday, April 13, 2023 on a bill to ban TikTok from operating in the state. It's a move thats bound to face legal challenges but also serve as a testing ground for the TikTok-free America that many national lawmakers have envisioned.
Congress is considering legislation that doesn't call out TikTok, but gives the Commerce Department the ability to restrict foreign threats on tech platforms. That bill is being backed by the White House, but it has received pushback from privacy advocates and right-wing commentators and others who say the language is too broad.
“I’m not one to ban private business, but I think this is an extraordinary situation,” he said. “This is a business that is controlled by an existential threat and enemy of the United States.” Opponents argued the bill amounted to government overreach and that residents could easily circumvent the proposed ban by using a Virtual Private Network. A VPN encrypts internet traffic and makes it more difficult for third parties to track online activities, steal data and determine a person's location.
“We also believe this is a blatant exercise of censorship and is an egregious violation of Montanans free speech rights,” said Keegan Medrano with the ACLU of Montana.
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Montana close to becoming 1st state to completely ban TikTokMontana lawmakers are expected to take a big step forward on a bill to ban TikTok from operating in the state
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Montana close to becoming 1st state to completely ban TikTokMontana lawmakers are expected to take a big step forward on a bill to ban TikTok from operating in the state. It's a move that’s bound to face legal challenges but also serve as a testing ground for the TikTok-free America that many national lawmakers have envisioned. Montana’s proposal is more sweeping than bans in place in nearly half the states and the U.S. federal government that prohibit TikTok on government devices. The House was scheduled to hold a second hearing vote on the legislation on Thursday. If it’s approved, a final House vote would likely take place Friday, after which the bill would be forwarded to Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte.
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Montana close to becoming 1st state to completely ban TikTokMontana’s proposal, which has backing from the state’s GOP-controlled legislature, is more sweeping than bans in place in nearly half the states and the U.S. federal government that prohibit TikTok on government devices.
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