Is TikTok funding a lawsuit against Montana’s ban of the app?

TikTok confirmed this week that it is footing the bill for a lawsuit in Montana challenging the state’s ban of the app. The lawsuit was filed by five TikTok creators in Montana who argue that the state’s ban, which will take effect in 2024, violates their First Amendment rights. The ban there is unlike those announced in many other states because it will apply to all users and not just government.

“Montana can no more ban its residents from viewing or posting to TikTok than it could ban the Wall Street Journal because of who owns it or the ideas it publishes,” they state in the lawsuit.

In confirming that it is funding their suit, TikTok said, “Throughout this process, many creators have expressed major concerns both privately and publicly about the potential impact of the Montana law on their livelihoods. We will support our creators in fighting for their constitutional rights.”