On November 30, Judge Donald Molloy issued a preliminary injunction blocking Montana’s TikTok ban, saying the state’s ban “violates the Constitution” and “exceeds state power.”

Based on the current record, it appears that the Montana legislature and attorney general are more concerned about China’s role in TikTok than protecting local users.

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Montana state government wants to ban TikTok on all personal devices. (Photo: Reuters)

TikTok also pointed out that the ban could cut off income for many people, so “plaintiffs have established the likelihood of irreparable harm,” the judge wrote.

Molloy’s latest order is a blow to prominent critics of the app. It not only marks a setback for Montana policymakers who want to ban TikTok on all personal devices, but it also sends a signal to other states that are considering similar proposals.

TikTok said it was pleased with the judge's decision and that hundreds of thousands of Montanans can "continue to express themselves, earn a living, and find community on TikTok."

In a statement, Emilee Cantrell, deputy director of communications for the Montana Attorney General’s Office, said the stay is only a “preliminary decision” and the outcome could change as the case continues. They look forward to presenting their full legal argument in defense of the law.

Earlier, the state of Montana introduced the first bill in the country to ban TikTok from operating in the state, proposing a fine of $10,000 for each violator.

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte signed the law in May, saying it was necessary to protect Montanans' personal data.

However, Montana's law is being challenged by TikTok and a group of content creators who argue it violates the First Amendment.

TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company. Many US officials have expressed concern that China could access US data through the app, although there is no evidence to date that this is the case.

The legal battle between Montana and TikTok is being closely watched as a sign of TikTok's future in the United States, where dozens of states and the US government have banned the app from public devices.

Other states have tried their own methods to limit TikTok’s widespread use. Indiana, for example, filed a lawsuit accusing TikTok of making false claims about the safety of user data and age-appropriate content, but it was dismissed by state Judge Jennifer DeGroote. But no state has gone as far as Montana.

In 2020, former President Donald Trump sought to ban downloads of TikTok and WeChat, but a series of court decisions prevented the ban from taking effect.

(According to Reuters, CNN)

TikTok is 'cleaner' than before . Once a 'problem' with toxic and politically sensitive content, but with the strong intervention of State management agencies, content on TikTok has become healthier than before.