Virginia and Other US States Support Montana in TikTok Ban

In a court filing, 18 state attorneys general, including Virginia, have expressed their support for Montana's efforts to ban the Chinese-owned short video app TikTok.

Credit: REUTERS

They are urging a US judge to reject legal challenges ahead of the ban's effective date on January 1. The attorneys general argue that TikTok engages in deceptive business practices, shares sensitive personal information with the Chinese Communist Party and harms children in Montana.

TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, has filed a suit seeking to block the state ban, citing violations of First Amendment free speech rights. A hearing on TikTok's request for a preliminary injunction is scheduled for October 12. The states claim that TikTok has faced increasing calls for a nationwide ban due to concerns about Chinese government influence.

Efforts to pass legislation granting the Biden administration more power to ban or regulate TikTok have stalled. Montana's Attorney General Austin Knudsen has praised the state's ban, stating that it is necessary as long as TikTok remains under the control of a foreign adversary.

TikTok has denied sharing US user data with the Chinese government and has emphasised its commitment to protecting user privacy and security. The ban in Montana could result in fines of $10,000 for each TikTok violation, but individual users will not face penalties.

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• 18 state attorneys general, led by Virginia, support Montana's ban on TikTok.

• They argue that TikTok engages in deceptive practices and poses risks to personal information and children.

• TikTok has filed a suit to block the ban, citing violations of free speech rights.

Source: REUTERS