Montana has become the first US state to initiate a ban on TikTok amid data privacy concerns.
The state is set to enact a law on January 1, 2024, prohibiting Google and Apple's app stores from offering the TikTok app within its borders. However, there will be no penalties imposed on individuals using the app.
Legal challenges are expected to arise in response to the ban, according to reports.
TikTok, owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance, previously stated that the law infringes on the First Amendment rights of Montana residents and that it will continue to defend the rights of its users both in and outside of the state.
The move comes as lawmakers and officials across the US have been increasingly calling for a nationwide ban on TikTok due to concerns about potential Chinese government influence on the platform.
With over 150 million American users, TikTok has gained immense popularity among teenagers, with 67% of US teens aged 13 to 17 using the app, according to the Pew Research Center.
TikTok has repeatedly denied sharing user data with the Chinese government.
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