Montana’s House of Representatives has given the green light to a bill that could ban the popular streaming app TikTok in the state. The bill is now awaiting approval from Republican Governor Greg Gianforte, who may sign it into law. If passed, Montana would be the first state to prohibit TikTok downloads due to concerns about the Chinese government’s ability to gather and exploit user data. Critics fear that this could lead to manipulation or disinformation campaigns against users.

The proposed law would make it illegal to download TikTok in Montana, with a penalty of $10,000 per day for those who violate the ban. The ban would apply to both the TikTok website and app stores such as Google and Apple. However, it is unclear what the consequences would be for those who already have the app on their devices. The law would take effect in January 2024, giving TikTok time to challenge it in federal court.

The Biden administration is currently negotiating with TikTok about breaking away from its Beijing corporate parent, while Congress is working on a bill that would allow the Department of Commerce to ban apps controlled by foreign adversaries. The goal of these measures is to safeguard user data and prevent foreign powers from exerting undue influence over American citizens.