Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen firmly supports the state's ban on TikTok, defending it against a lawsuit filed by the company alleging First Amendment violations. Knudsen's stance centers on national security concerns, prioritizing these over free speech arguments raised by TikTok and the ACLU.

Knudsen's investigation revealed that TikTok may collect extensive user data, including facial recognition data, thumbprints, and keystrokes, which he believes could be transmitted to the Chinese Communist Party. He argues that TikTok's data collection practices, coupled with its potential to disseminate pro-China propaganda, pose a significant national security threat.

TikTok, however, contests these claims, asserting that the ban infringes upon users' First Amendment rights. The company maintains that its data practices are not unique and that it operates independently of the Chinese government. A TikTok spokesperson expressed confidence in their legal challenge, citing strong precedents and factual basis.

The ban, slated to take effect in January, imposes hefty penalties on app stores and TikTok for each instance of access or download within Montana. Knudsen emphasized that the law specifically avoids targeting individual TikTok users. The legislation also includes a provision allowing for the ban to be lifted if TikTok separates from its Chinese ownership.

The ACLU and other critics argue that the ban sets a dangerous precedent, restricting free speech and potentially fueling anti-Chinese sentiment. They contend that hundreds of thousands of Montanans utilize the platform for expression, information gathering, and business operations. Knudsen counters this argument, asserting that national security concerns outweigh free speech considerations in this context.

Knudsen also voiced concerns about the content accessible to children on TikTok, highlighting the differences between the app's US version and the version available in China. He pointed to reports of harmful content, including drug-related material, suicide content, pornography, and sexually explicit material, being prevalent on the US version.

Anticipating legal challenges, Knudsen expressed the need for federal courts to address the evolving legal landscape surrounding social media. He further suggested that Congressional action would have been preferable but that Montana took the initiative due to federal inaction.