US bans TikTok, WeChat citing security reasons

NIRMAL YESODA

After India, United States has also announced the ban of short video app TikTok citing national security reasons. The ban of the Chinese app was announced on Friday, and from Sunday, the order will take effect. Apart from TikTok American authorities have also banned WeChat.

However, the ban on TikTok will not affect its current users, as the app is expected to stay intact until November 12. But American users will not be able to download upgrades of the app from Sunday.

But when it comes to WeChat, it was a complete shutdown. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross revealed that all cash transfers related to WeChat and its parent company Tencent Holdings Ltd will be completely banned. It should be also noted that distribution, maintenance and updates of WeChat and TikTok will not be available from App Stores from Sunday.

“WeChat US, for all practical purposes, will be shut down. The basic Tiktok will stay intact until November 12,” said Ross.

India had banned TikTok following elevated tensions in the Indo-China border. After the ban, authorities in India revealed that these Chinese apps are misusing user data which may turn out be a threat to the national security.

As both India and the United States have banned TikTok, ByteDance will face a huge revenue loss, as a major portion of its users came from these two countries.