WASHINGTON, Aug 7 Reuters Two tech groups on Monday backed TikTok in its lawsuit seeking to block enforcement of a Montana state ban on use of the short video sharing app before it takes effect on Jan. 1.

NetChoice, a national trade association that includes major tech platforms, and Chamber of Progress, a techindustry coalition, said in a joint court filing that Montana39;s effort to cut Montanans off from the global network of TikTok users ignores and undermines the structure, design, and purpose of the internet.

TikTok, which is owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, filed a suit in May seeking to block the firstofitskind U.S. state ban, arguing it violates the First Amendment free speech rights of the company and users.

A hearing on TikTok39;s request for a preliminary injunction is set for Oct. 12.

TikTok, which is used by more than 150 million Americans, has faced growing calls from U.S. lawmakers for a nationwide ban over concerns about possible Chinese government influence.

TikTok says it has not shared, and would not share, U.S. user data with the Chinese government, and has taken substantial measures to protect the privacy and security of TikTok users.

The tech groups said if allowed to take effect, the ban will usher in a balkanized internet where information

available to users becomes regionally divided based on local politicians whims or preferences. They added the internet, as a whole, will become fragmented and its value to humanity diminished….