Montana on Wednesday became the first state to completely ban the Chinese app TikTok, Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte said in a statement after signing a law restricting downloads of the app.
The measure, the governor said on Twitter, seeks to "protect the private and personal data of Montana residents from the Chinese Communist Party."
The state Congress had passed a bill in April making it illegal for download stores to offer users the app and banning the company from operating in the state. That was the legislation signed by the governor on Wednesday.
The governor insisted the app was used "to spy on Americans, violate their privacy and steal their personal data."
Montana's law, the most restrictive against TikTok so far, is expected to face legal challenges, as critics say it restricts the right to free speech.
TikTok has about 100 million users in the United States and is one of the most popular social networks in the world, especially among teenagers.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
