TikTok Ban... US Creators File Unconstitutional Lawsuit Claiming "Suppression of Freedom"

5 TikTok Creators Claim Freedom of Expression Violation
Montana "Prepared for Lawsuit"

Chinese video platform 'TikTok'
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

The state of Montana in the United States has issued a complete ban on the Chinese video platform TikTok, prompting creators who operate on TikTok to file a 'unconstitutional' lawsuit.

On the 18th (local time), foreign media such as CNN and Reuters reported that five TikTok creators residing in Montana filed a lawsuit challenging the TikTok total ban law at the Montana Federal District Court on the same day.

They claimed, "This decision to ban TikTok usage violates the First Amendment," and stated that they had submitted a complaint. They added, "The government is trying to suppress freedom of expression by using administrative power under the pretext of national security," emphasizing that "this infringes on the freedom of speech and press." They argued that just as it is not possible to ban the Wall Street Journal or others based on the ideology of the owner or publisher, TikTok should not be blocked from being viewed or used. Montana spokesperson Emily Flower said in a statement, "We anticipated the lawsuit and have prepared for it."

Earlier, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte signed a bill the previous day that will completely ban TikTok usage starting January 1 next year. From next year, TikTok will not be available for download on app markets such as the Apple App Store and Google Play Store within Montana. Violators who download or access TikTok will be fined $10,000 per day (approximately 13.3 million KRW) by the app markets or TikTok. Individual users are not subject to punishment.

Montana is the first state in the U.S. to ban TikTok usage. Currently, there are about 150 million TikTok users in the U.S. While most users are teenagers and people in their twenties, the number of TikTok users is increasing regardless of age. TikTok stated, "Governor Gianforte illegally signed a bill banning TikTok that infringes on the First Amendment rights of Montana residents." However, TikTok has remained silent on whether it will file a lawsuit against the state government.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.