TikTok filed a lawsuit Monday seeking to overturn Montana’s ban on the app, arguing the law is an unconstitutional violation of free speech rights and is based on “unfounded speculation” that the Chinese government could access users’ data.
The lawsuit by TikTok follows one filed last week by five content creators who made similar arguments.
Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the bill Wednesday and the content creators’ lawsuit was filed hours later. The law is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, but cybersecurity experts say it could be difficult to enforce.
TikTok denies that it shares U.S. data with the Chinese government. This hasn’t stopped the U.S. federal government and about half the U.S. states, including Montana, from banning TikTok from government-owned devices.
Montana’s new law prohibits downloads of TikTok in the state. It would fine any “entity” — an app store or TikTok — $10,000 per day for each time someone “is offered the ability” to access the social media platform or download the app. The penalties would not apply to users.