Tag: WeChat

Trump to block U.S. downloads of TikTok, WeChat on Sunday

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

Trump to block U.S. downloads of TikTok, WeChat on Sunday

The commerce department announced Friday morning that it would ban U.S. business transactions with China-owned social apps WeChat and TikTok on Sunday.

Related:

Commerce Department Prohibits WeChat and TikTok Transactions to Protect the National Security of the United States

As of September 20, 2020, the following transactions are prohibited:

—Any provision of service to distribute or maintain the WeChat or TikTok mobile applications, constituent code, or application updates through an online mobile application store in the U.S.;

—Any provision of services through the WeChat mobile application for the purpose of transferring funds or processing payments within the U.S.

ByteDance may have slightly longer to sell TikTok but Trump has also strengthened his hand, analysts say

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

ByteDance may have slightly longer to sell TikTok but Trump has also strengthened his hand, analysts say

Friday’s announcement also authorises US officials to inspect TikTok and ByteDance’s books and information systems, to ensure the safety of personal data while the sale talks are ongoing. Among other things, the order requires ByteDance to destroy any data from TikTok users in the United States.

Apple and other companies warn White House about WeChat ban

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

Apple and other companies warn White House about WeChat ban

The WeChat ban is especially problematic for U.S. companies, as it’s an absolutely massive chat app in China, with 1.2 billion global users. For example, if Apple were not able to allow WeChat on the iPhone, it would make iPhones a lot less desirable in China (think how undesirable Huawei phones are right now in the U.S., with Google’s Play store and many other services taken away from them). Furthermore, China could retaliate against U.S. companies, effectively barring them from the lucrative Chinese market.

Trump issues ban on US groups dealing with TikTok and WeChat

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

Trump issues ban on US groups dealing with TikTok and WeChat

Tencent, the Shenzhen-based technology company, opened a US office in 2013 with the aim of expanding WeChat’s popularity in the US. WeChat does not disclose how many of them are in the US but the app is used by the Chinese diaspora and businesspeople to deal with those in mainland China, where the app is a must-have utility.

Related:

Trump’s ban against WeChat owner Tencent could have huge implications for U.S. companies