US bans TikTok, WeChat downloads from September 20: Details here
In a major move, the US government has announced the decision to ban popular Chinese services TikTok and WeChat. The action, according to a report in Reuters, will go into effect from Sunday (September 20), in compliance with the executive orders US President Donald Trump had issued over a month ago. Here is all you need to know about it.
Ban on business transactions with TikTok, WeChat
On August 6, Trump had issued executive orders to ban business transactions with WeChat and TikTok, over national security concerns. The order was set to go into effect in 45 days, and now, sticking to that timeline, the US Department of Commerce is banning both the apps. The prohibition, it says, is aimed at eliminating access to the services while reducing their functionalities.
This is what US Department of Commerce Secretary said
"Today's actions prove once again that President Trump will do everything in his power to guarantee our national security and protect Americans from the threats of the Chinese Communist Party," said US Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.
Downloads, updates to be blocked from Sunday
Among the restrictions imposed, TikTok, WeChat apps have to be removed from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store in the US. The platforms will be restricted from distributing or maintaining the apps, their code, or updates. This will block fresh downloads/updates of both the apps, although existing users might be able to continue using the current versions on their phones.
Other restrictions will also be imposed
Along with blocking access to the apps, the Department's order bans US companies from using WeChat "for the purpose of transferring funds or processing payments within the US." Plus, companies providing internet hosting services, content delivery network services, and arranged internet transit or peering services will not be allowed to enable the functioning or optimization of the mobile application in the US.
Use of TikTok, WeChat's code or services restricted
Finally, the order also prohibits US firms from using TikTok and WeChat's code, functions, or services in any software or service that has been developed and/or is accessible within the US. For TikTok, all the restrictions, except the main one that requires removal from app stores, will be going into effect from November 12, which is the service's deadline to divest its US operations.
TikTok's parent is racing to address the concerns
Meanwhile, ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has been racing to get Trump administration's concerns resolved by getting an American company in the loop for the platform's US operations. The US government has demanded an outright sale of the operations and the user data, but ByteDance is reportedly roping in Oracle as TikTok's technology partner, with a few other American companies taking minority stakes.
If deal is approved by US, ban would be removed
If the said TikTok deal is approved by the Trump administration, which still remains to be seen, the ban set to be imposed from Sunday may be lifted, the Commerce Department emphasized in its notice.
