Montana students are expressing mixed reactions to the looming TikTok ban, which is set to take effect soon.
The ban has sparked discussions about free speech, privacy concerns, and the impact on content creators and businesses across the state.
The app is known for its short videos and viral trends, and students have highlighted its educational value, citing diverse content like cooking tutorials and study tips available on the platform.
Some students recognize that TikTok serves as a source of income for content creators. A freshman student commented, “I think it is like some people’s income, which is kind of crazy.”
Other students expressed surprise at the ban actually being implemented. One student remarked, “I was honestly shocked to find out it was actually going through.”
However, not all students are upset about the potential loss of the app. Some suggest alternatives, with comments like “read a book” or “go touch some grass.”
Impact on Content Creators
Grace Elden, a professional skier and TikTok content creator at Montana State University, shared that she makes about $5,000 a month from TikTok content. The ban would result in a “significant blow” to her income, potentially causing her to lose brand deals specifically tied to TikTok.
According to a study by Oxford Economics, 8,000 businesses actively use TikTok in Montana, with over half of these small businesses considering TikTok critical to their operations.
Freedom of Expression Concerns
Some Montana students and organizations view the ban as a potential infringement on First Amendment rights.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) have opposed the ban, arguing that it violates First Amendment protections.
Many Montanans, including students, use TikTok to communicate with local and global audiences, raising concerns about limiting their means of expression.
Privacy and Security Debates
Some Montana students recognize the potential risks associated with data collection on social media platforms, with one student noting, “Everyone in the world could hack anything at any time; everyone’s everything is out there.”
Experts like Mitch Price, who has worked in government managing risk and critical infrastructure, point out the potential national security threats posed by TikTok’s data collection capabilities.
As the ban approaches, Montana’s college campuses continue to buzz with discussions about its implications, reflecting the broader debate surrounding social media, privacy, and freedom of expression in the digital age.
United States Supreme Court Decision
The United States Supreme Court has upheld a law that allows TikTok to be banned unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divests from the platform by January 19, 2025.
This decision follows extensive legal battles where TikTok, along with its users, challenged the constitutionality of the law, arguing it infringed upon First Amendment rights.
The Supreme Court, focusing on national security concerns, ruled in favor of the government’s position that the law does not violate free speech protections as long as the app is sold to a non-Chinese entity.
The justices seemed convinced by arguments centered around the potential risks of China accessing personal data of millions of American users and manipulating content on the platform.
The decision has sparked discussions on the balance between national security and free speech, with implications for how similar cases might be handled in the future.
The incoming Trump administration, with President-elect Donald Trump expressing opposition to the ban, might seek to negotiate or alter the situation upon taking office.
However, as of the current legal standing, TikTok faces the possibility of being removed from app stores and web hosting services if no divestiture occurs by the set deadline.
