Montana Bans TikTok, Imposes Penalties Amid , Perceived Security Threat.br On May 17, Montana became br the first U.S. state to ban TikTok. .br TikTok is owned by China-based br company ByteDance. .br TikTok is owned by China-based br company ByteDance. .br Vox reports that the ban comes br amid concerns that ByteDance's ties to the br Chinese government present security risks.br Vox reports that the ban comes br amid concerns that ByteDance's ties to the br Chinese government present security risks.br The ban has not only given rise to questions br about how it will be enforced, but it is also br expected to face legal challenges. .br The ban has not only given rise to questions br about how it will be enforced, but it is also br expected to face legal challenges. .br Under the new law, TikTok will be fined $10,000 for each user's br first attempt to access the app and an additional $10,000 br per day that they are allowed to access the platform.br Under the new law, TikTok will be fined $10,000 for each user's br first attempt to access the app and an additional $10,000 br per day that they are allowed to access the platform.br Similar penalties will be imposed br on Google and Apple for allowing users br in Montana to download TikTok. .br Similar penalties will be imposed br on Google and Apple for allowing users br in Montana to download TikTok. .br Vox reports that the new law does not penalize br individual users for accessing the app.br Montana Governor Greg Gianforte br said the law was necessary to , “protect Montanans’ personal and private br data from the Chinese Communist Party.”.br Montana Governor Greg Gianforte br said the law was necessary to , “protect Montanans’ personal and private br data from the Chinese Communist Party.”.br Lawmakers have cited a 2017 Chinese law that orders br all companies operating within the country to fulfill br government demands for data related to national security.br Vox points out that a 2023 Georgia Institute of Technology br report found that social media platforms like Facebook br have similar data protection methods to those of TikTok. .br Vox points out that a 2023 Georgia Institute of Technology br report found that social media platforms like Facebook br have similar data protection methods to those of TikTok.