Montana officials react to Tik Tok ban signed by Biden

HELENA, M.T. (KUMV) – The foreign aid package signed by President Joe Biden this week provides billions towards allies such as Ukraine and Israel but one amendment will impact the social media app, TikTok.

Under the new law, TikTok’s Chinese parent company Bytedance will be required to sell to a new owner in nine months or be banned in the United States.

A similar bill banning TikTok was passed in Montana last year, banning the app within the state.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, R-MT and Attorney General Austin Knudsen praised the nationwide ban’s signing.

“Congress, with overwhelming bipartisan support, did right by the American people by requiring TikTok to divest from ByteDance and the Chinese Communist Party. China has used TikTok to spy on Americans, violate their privacy, and collect their personal, private, and sensitive information. That’s why Montana was the first state in the nation to protect Montanans by banning the app. Montana has been the national leader on protecting our citizens from foreign adversaries who are trying to spy on them and steal their personal data,” stated Gianforte.

“I’m glad to see that Congress finally acted and followed Montana’s lead to ban TikTok. The dangerous application is a spy tool for the Chinese Communist Party that poses a serious threat to our national security and puts the privacy of Americans at risk,” stated Knudsen.

The bill in Montana has been blocked as part of a court proceeding arguing its constitutionality.

On Friday, Bytedance said it denied plans to sell and the company would fight in the courts to overturn the law.

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