TikTok admitted to funding the lawsuit filed by several users and content creators of the platform against the law that completely restricts the use of the social network in Montana.
Several weeks ago, a group of TikTokers joined together to legally challenge the state law that seeks to protect the privacy and security of citizens. However, it recently came to light that the platform is the one that has been covering the financial costs of the lawsuit.
TikTok spokesperson Jodi Seth acknowledged that Tiktok was paying the legal team's fees for the five content creators who took aim at the social network's restriction.
"We support our creators through various programs and have an ongoing dialogue about their presence on TikTok. Throughout this process, many creators have expressed major concerns both privately and publicly, about the potential impact of the Montana law on their livelihoods. We will support our creators in fighting for their constitutional rights," Seth said.
TikTok is funding a high-profile lawsuit from TikTok creators and users against Montana's TikTok ban. https://t.co/69Dtjyrknb
— KOMU 8 News (@KOMUnews) June 29, 2023
TikTok's other efforts to circumvent the ban
In addition to paying for the legal process of its content creators, TikTok filed its own lawsuit over the app's restriction. The platform, owned by the company Bytedance - linked to the Chinese Communist Party - alleges that the ban violates the First Amendment.
The law
Montana became the first state to sign a measure to ban the social network completely statewide. SB 419 is scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2024, and from that date, app stores such as Play Store and App Store could be fined if they offer the video platform.
In addition, ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, could be fined $10,000 for each violation and charged the same amount for each day the ban continues to be violated.
