Montana

Opinion: Which is the bigger threat: TikTok’s Chinese control or Montana’s state overreach?

Published

2 years ago

May 27, 2023

Opinion: Which is the bigger threat: TikTok’s Chinese control or Montana’s state overreach?

TikTok on May 22 filed suit in a U.S. federal court to stop the state of Montana from implementing an overall ban on the video sharing app.PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP/Getty Images

Gus Carlson is a U.S.-based columnist for The Globe and Mail.

Call it Big Sky v. Big Spy. As Montana regulators and TikTok lawyers prepare to square off in court over the state’s banning of the social-media platform on grounds it is a spying mechanism for the Chinese government, there is more at stake than U.S. national security.

The case will test how far government can – and should – go to bend and perhaps break constitutional rights and freedoms to protect people from their own lack of personal responsibility – and in some cases, stupidity. And it raises this question: Which is the bigger threat, foreign spying or domestic overreach?

At the heart of the case is the scope of the new law, which doesn’t simply ban the use of TikTok within state lines, it seeks to prohibit the downloading of the TikTok app, which in effect forces companies such as Apple to stop making the app available to Montana customers. This is unlike a government agency or a company banning the use of the platform by its employees, which is a policy within a specific work force and not a widespread commercial ban.

Whether enforcing the new Montana law is even possible – and whether you believe concerns about TikTok as a spying platform are warranted – the idea that government can assume the power to block such transactions and manipulate a free commercial market is in itself troubling, regardless of the stated higher purpose of protecting democracy and the public good.

Yes, there is ample evidence to suggest TikTok is captive to the Chinese government and does not take users’ privacy as seriously as it should. The platform is also addictive for more than 150 million U.S. users and is, as a result, an enormously powerful platform for good and evil.

If you have kids, you know that to be true. The legal arguments aside, it is sad commentary that government needs to step in – and step on rights and freedoms – because we can’t control our own need for a social-media fix.

Haugen and Owen: Don’t ban TikTok. Make it safer

In one of the many twists to the Montana case, that’s what TikTok’s lawsuit against the state keys on. In simple terms, the company argues the Montana law violates the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment rights governing free speech and is, in effect, suppression of expression and even censorship. The suit, filed in federal court, also claims national security is a federal issue and Montana does not have the jurisdiction to enact such as law.

The irony is a bit thick when the company accused of being a cipher for a government known for suppressing free speech is using it as a legal beachhead. It is also ironic that, in TikTok’s own defence against claims it is a spying mechanism, the platform has taken steps that suggest the claims are valid.

The company recently said it fired some China-based employees who were collecting data on U.S. journalists who wrote about company leaks. It also announced a US$1.5-billion data security initiative with U.S. technology giant Oracle, called Project Texas, which will host all data of U.S. subscribers actually in the United States. Why would TikTok go to such lengths – and at such expense – if it were squeaky clean?

But by no means has TikTok cornered the market on irony in this case. In enacting the law, Montana, a Republican stronghold, has reached for a solution typical of the left – anti-business, anti-free-market overregulation. The apparent ideological contradiction reflects just how bizarre the issue has become.

Frankly, some observers are curious as to why the U.S. hasn’t been smarter about turning the enormous popularity of TikTok back on China, using it as a platform to spread disinformation against Beijing. It’s an old trick from the propaganda campaigns of the Second World War – to beat ’em, baffle ’em with BS.

As for personal responsibility, reasonable thinkers might suggest that people who have jobs that deal in sensitive information, or average users who simply don’t want their personal information put at risk, should simply stop subscribing to the platform. Go cold turkey, break the addiction and make court battles such as TikTok v. Montana unnecessary.

What’s left is a blizzard of nonsense postings of water-skiing squirrels, dogs skipping rope and videos chronicling in breathtaking detail what people had for breakfast this morning. If the Chinese government still believes there is strategic value in that content and the personal information of the users behind it, let them have it.

But spy-er beware. There is no encrypted intelligence behind the inanity. The vast majority of TikTok content and users who post it really are that mindless.

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Related Topics:apple case company Featured Globe Government information Montana platform TikTok united states

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Montana

Pablo man dies in Christmas Day shooting in Polson

Published

6 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Pablo man dies in Christmas Day shooting in Polson

POLSON — A 31-year-old Pablo man was shot and killed early Christmas morning after what police are calling a disturbance in Polson.

The Polson Police Department reports that Lake County 911 took several calls for a shooting in the area of 11th Avenue West.

Polson Police, Lake County Sheriff’s deputies, and Flathead Tribal Police officers responded and found 31-year-old Sheldon Fisher had been shot and killed during a disturbance involving several people.

According to Polson Police, arrests were made on Wednesday, including the arrest of the suspected shooter, who has not yet been identified.

Polson Police are investigating the incident, along with the Lake County Coroner and Sheriff’s Office.

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Montana

Montana senators receive committee assignments for 119th Congress

Published

14 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Montana senators receive committee assignments for 119th Congress

Micah Drew

(Daily Montanan) Montana’s soon-to-be senior U.S. Sen. Steve Daines will keep a key leadership position in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the upcoming Congress, as well as take a new position on the Foreign Relations Committee.

Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota on Friday announced the Senate Republican Conference committee assignments for the upcoming 119^th Congress beginning next year. Daines also will serve on the Finance and Indian Affairs committees.

“It’s an honor to serve Montanans in the U.S. Senate, and I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues on these crucial committees to fight for our Montana way of life,” Daines said in a prepared statement. “President (Donald) Trump received a mandate from the American people, and with these committee assignments I’ll be working to enact the president’s agenda to unleash American energy, cut taxes, open overseas markets for Montana farmers and ranchers, improve America’s relationships abroad, bring down costs for hardworking families, secure the southern border and stem the flow of deadly drugs.”

Daines has also been the ranking member on the Subcommittee on National Parks, which he will chair in the upcoming Republican-controlled Senate.

Sen.-elect Tim Sheehy, a Navy Seal, will serve on the committees on Armed Services, on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and on Veterans’ Affairs.

Sheehy, of Bozeman, won his election to the Senate against incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, who had chaired the Veterans’ Affairs committee during the last two sessions of Congress.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Dec. 25, 2024

Published

22 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 25, 2024, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

15-26-27-30-35, Powerball: 03, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

04-10-35-42-45, Lucky Ball: 02

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

04-05-40-42-52, Star Ball: 10, ASB: 03

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

09-18-19-25, Bonus: 15

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

08-29-30-47-57, Powerball: 01

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

01-05-10-39-41

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9:00 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9:00 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8:00 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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