Chinese tech company TikTok is facing increased scrutiny in the US over concerns of national security. Montana has become the first US state to ban TikTok, with Governor Greg Gianforte signing legislation that will prevent mobile application stores from offering the app statewide starting next year.
This move comes amidst growing unease about the use of Chinese technology, particularly in the backdrop of tensions between the West and China on the geopolitical stage. Similar concerns have been witnessed in the UK with regards to Huawei, as the UK government has ruled that Huawei technology must be removed from the country’s 5G public networks by the end of 2027.
In the US, both the federal government and more than half of US states have already prohibited the TikTok app on government devices. TikTok’s parent company Bytedance has repeatedly denied sharing data with the Chinese government and has stated that it would refuse any such request in the future.
Governor Gianforte’s ban goes a step further, prohibiting the use of all social media applications that compile any personal information or data to perceived adversaries on government-issued devices. This includes WeChat, a Chinese parent company, and Telegram Messenger, which was established in Russia.
However, VPN service providers like hide.me are well aware that individuals in Montana can easily bypass such bans by using a virtual private network. By encrypting their data traffic, users can protect their privacy and prevent others from monitoring their web browsing activity. Nevertheless, there is growing frustration among those who view these measures as authoritarian deception. Supporters of a “free” internet openly criticize US authorities for perceived censorship.
The situation in Montana is just one example of the increasing threat to internet freedom in today’s era. Governments in countries such as India, Russia, Indonesia, and China have taken steps to exert greater control over their internet territory, claiming to do so in the name of safety, crime prevention, and moral standards. However, such actions ultimately denote a desire for greater control over citizens and the power to suppress freedom of speech.
True internet freedom should allow individuals worldwide to freely share ideas, knowledge, and opinions, which are the bedrock of free speech and democracy. TikTok has already argued that the Montana bill infringes on the first amendment rights of the people by unlawfully banning the app. The company intends to defend the rights of its users both inside and outside of Montana.
The concept of internet freedom encompasses various considerations, including net neutrality, freedom of information, and the right to internet access. The establishment of a free global internet should be an international priority. However, Governor Gianforte’s stance and the actions taken in Montana contradict these principles of internet freedom. It is hoped that such bans will be temporary and will not spread throughout the country, raising concerns about which technology could be targeted next.
Sebastian Schaub, the CEO of hide.me VPN, has been working in the internet security industry for over a decade. He started hide.me VPN with the aim of making internet security and privacy accessible to everyone. He can be reached through the hide.me website at http://www.hide.me.