In the preliminary hearing, TikTok Inc. challenged the state of Montana’s ban on the popular social media app, with the state arguing that the law is needed to protect the privacy of citizens because the company has ties to a hostile foreign power.
U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy heard arguments on Oct. 12 over the implementation of Senate Bill 419, which was passed by the state legislature and signed into law earlier this year, would ban TikTok from being used anywhere the state has criminal jurisdiction, is slated to go into effect in January of 2024. TikTok and several creators are suing the state, citing both a First Amendment violation and the claim that they will suffer loss if the app is banned.
