Mont. Judge Blocks Jan. 1 Enforcement of Statewide TikTok Ban

Montana is enjoined from enforcing SB-419, its statewide TiTtok ban, when it takes effect Jan. 1, said an order late Thursday (docket 9:23-cv-00061) from U.S. District Judge Daniel Molloy in Missoula, granting a motion for a preliminary injunction from TikTok and several TikTok influencers.

Despite the state’s attempt to defend SB-419 as a consumer protection bill, the current record “leaves little doubt” that Montana’s legislature and attorney general “were more interested in targeting China’s ostensible role in TikTok than with protecting Montana consumers,” said the order. The plaintiffs have shown a likelihood of success on the merits of each claim, and a preliminary injunction on the effective date of SB-419 is warranted, it said.