Disruption

Judge blocks Montana TikTok ban before it takes effect

The order stated that state officials were ‘more interested in targeting China’s ostensible role in TikTok than with protecting Montana consumers.’
The Montana State Capitol in Helena, Mont., on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Tommy Martino)

A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked Montana’s first-in-the-nation blanket ban on TikTok from taking effect, delivering a legal setback to Attorney General Austin Knudsen (R) whose office drafted the legislation.

The ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Donald Molloy in Missoula represents the latest blow to recent state-level efforts to regulate social media and online platforms.

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