The U.S. Will Ban TikTok and WeChat Downloads on Sunday
I’ve never used WeChat, and I have only ever used TikTok once. I didn’t know what the hell was going on, but among the videos of dancing teens and other silly videos were a bunch of crazy other videos popping up on the feed of kids bullying and beating the shit out of other kids. That was all I needed to see to realize that this was not for me.
CNN is reporting that the Commerce Department is going to restrict access to TikTok and WeChat this coming Sunday. The Department said that “any moves to distribute or maintain WeChat or TikTok on an app store will be prohibited.”
Anyone who has already downloaded the apps will be able to continue using them, the new restrictions mean that updated versions of the apps cannot be downloaded. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said:
"The only real change as of Sunday night will be [TikTok users] won't have access to improved apps, updated apps, upgraded apps or maintenance."
When it comes to WeChat the restrictions are more extensive as it will be “illegal to host or transfer internet traffic associated with WeChat.” That will also go into effect on TikTok on November 12th. Why that date? It’s explained that The Trump administration is “currently weighing a proposal involving ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent, and Oracle, designed to resolve the administration's national security concerns related to TikTok; the deadline for a deal is Nov. 12.”
We could see restrictions on the apps announced later, including against other apps if they are seen to be used as workarounds. Ross went on to say:
"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. At the President's direction, we have taken significant action to combat China's malicious collection of American citizens' personal data, while promoting our national values, democratic rules-based norms, and aggressive enforcement of U.S. laws and regulations."
What do you all think about TikTok and WeChat being banned? Do any of you use these apps?