US state votes to ban TikTok for first time - but how would Montana's law work?

US state votes to ban TikTok for first time - but how would Montana's law work?

Montana has passed a bill banning TikTok in the state.

The state House voted 54-43 to pass the bill – which goes further than prohibitions in place in nearly half the states and the US federal government that prohibit the video-sharing app on government devices.

The measure now goes to Republican Governor Greg Gianforte for his consideration.

The bill, known as SB-419, cites a number of concerns about the app, including alleged surveillance from the Chinese government and encouragement of “dangerous activities” among young users, such as “throwing objects at moving automobiles” or “lighting a mirror on fire and then attempting to extinguish it using only one’s body parts”.

The legislation makes it illegal for app stores to offer TikTok, however it does not prevent those who already have the app from using it.

Violations of the bill could carry a penalty of up to $10,000 (£8,000), which would be enforced by Montana’s Department of Justice.

Montana already bans the app on state-owned devices.