The GOP-majority legislature in Montana voted Friday to ban TikTok, a popular Chinese-owned video-sharing platform, sending the bill to Gov. Greg Gianforte’s desk.
Montana’s legislature gave the bill final approval after the Montana House voted 54 to 43 in favor. If the bill is signed, Montana will become the first U.S. state to impose a complete ban on the platform.
The legislation prohibits downloads of TikTok in Montana and would fine any “entity” such as an app store $10,000 a day for each time someone is given access to the app. Users don’t face any penalties. If signed, the law wouldn’t take effect until January 2024, unless Congress passes a national law overriding it, or if TikTok cuts its ties with China.
A representative from the tech trade group TechNet told state lawmakers that app stores don’t have the ability to geofence apps on a state-by-state basis, so the Apple App Store and Google Play Store would not be able to adhere to the law if it takes effect.
Read more: Montana Set to Be First US State to Completely Ban TikTok After Bill Passes Legislature
