In recent months, the popular social media app TikTok has come under fire from various politicians and government officials for its handling of user data and content moderation. One of the most vocal critics of the app has been Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, who has been pushing for a ban on TikTok use in his state.
Gianforte, who took office in January 2021, has made it clear that he believes TikTok poses a serious threat to the privacy and security of Montana residents. In a statement issued in March, the governor cited concerns over data collection, user tracking, and content moderation as reasons why the app should be banned in the state.
“I am deeply concerned about the way TikTok handles user data and how they moderate content,” Gianforte said. “We cannot allow our citizens’ personal information to be exploited for profit or for their speech to be censored by a foreign company.”
The governor’s push for a TikTok ban has been met with legal challenges, however. In April, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit against Gianforte and the state of Montana, arguing that a ban on TikTok would be a violation of the First Amendment right to free speech.
“The government cannot simply ban an entire platform because it disapproves of some of the speech that occurs on that platform,” said ACLU of Montana Legal Director Alex Rate in a statement. “We’re hopeful that the court will agree that this is an unconstitutional restriction on free expression.”
Despite the legal hurdles, Gianforte has remained steadfast in his pursuit of a TikTok ban. In May, he issued an executive order directing state agencies to “take all necessary measures to prevent the use of TikTok on state-owned devices and networks.”
The order also called on the Montana legislature to consider passing a law that would prohibit the use of TikTok by state employees and contractors.
Gianforte’s push for a TikTok ban in Montana is part of a larger effort by some lawmakers to regulate social media platforms more closely. In recent years, there has been growing concern over the influence of tech companies like Facebook, Twitter, and Google on public discourse and political campaigns.
Some critics of TikTok argue that the app, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, could be used by the Chinese government to spy on American citizens or to spread propaganda.
TikTok has denied these allegations and has taken steps to address concerns over data privacy and content moderation. In 2020, the company launched a Transparency Center in the United States to provide insight into its data practices and security protocols.
Despite these efforts, however, TikTok continues to face scrutiny from regulators and politicians. In June, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fined the company $5.7 million for violating children’s privacy laws.
As the debate over TikTok and social media regulation continues to play out, it remains to be seen whether Governor Gianforte will be successful in his push for a ban in Montana. The ACLU lawsuit will likely be a key factor in the outcome, and the case could have broader implications for the future of free speech and social media regulation in the United States.
