US to Enforce Ban on WeChat and TikTok Downloads Starting Sunday
The US Department of Commerce announced plans to implement a ban on the downloading of the Chinese-owned messaging app WeChat and the video-sharing platform TikTok, with the prohibition set to take effect on Sunday, September 20.
Commerce officials indicated that the ban on new downloads of TikTok could potentially be lifted by President Donald Trump before it is enforced, as the app’s parent company, ByteDance, is engaged in discussions to finalize a deal regarding its US operations.
ByteDance is in negotiations with Oracle and other parties to establish a new entity, TikTok Global, intended to alleviate concerns regarding the security of American users’ data. However, ByteDance still requires the President’s endorsement to avoid a ban on its operations in the US.
According to Commerce officials, the restrictions on TikTok will not include further technical transactions until November 12, providing the company with additional time to finalize a deal concerning its US presence. “The basic TikTok will remain intact until November 12,” Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross shared during an interview with Fox Business Network.
The Department of Commerce explained the rationale behind the decision, stating that these measures are aimed at “protecting users in the US by eliminating access to these applications and significantly decreasing their functionality.”
Following the announcement, Oracle’s stock experienced a decline of 1.6% in pre-market trading.
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