Starting on Sunday, Sept. 20, the United States government declared final plans to ban famous Chinese apps TikTok and WeChat from American app stores. Here's what happens once this date comes around.
Say goodbye to WeChat and TikTok
In this photo illustration, the WeChat app is displayed in the App Store on an Apple iPhone on August 7, 2020 in Washington, DC. On Thursday evening, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that bans any transactions between the parent company of TikTok, ByteDance, and U.S. citizens due to national security reasons. The president signed a separate executive order banning transactions with China-based tech company Tencent, which owns the app WeChat. Both orders are set to take effect in 45 days.
On Friday, Sept. 18, U.S. Department of Commerce releases an announcement of the federal government to ban Chinese apps in the country, particularly video-sharing app TikTok and social media platform WeChat.
The date starts on Sunday, Sept. 20. Meaning to say, apps like WeChat and TikTok will no longer be active on any U.S. play stores online. This was still part of the government's action to protect Americans from apps that were said to be a threat to 'national security.'
"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," Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in a statement.
"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 will change?
First of all, Chinese apps like TikTok and WeChat are no longer stranger to the U.S. ban.
On Aug. 6, Pres. Donald Trump signed an executive order banning the country from transacting business with the particular Chinese apps.
POTUS specifically, cited these apps as an imminent threat to the privacy and security of each American.
So what will change after Sept. 21?
Apps like TikTok and WeChat won't be available to download from Google Play Store or Apple's App Store, starting on Sunday.
New York Times highlights the restrictions that this new government protocol will apply. For example, on WeChat, transferring of funds or processing of payments within the country will be prohibited.
The WeChat's code in other apps or software will be prohibited to use, such as offering internet transit and others to the Chinese company.
You can still use TikTok!
In this photo illustration, the TikTok app is displayed on an Apple iPhone on August 7, 2020 in Washington, DC. On Thursday evening, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that bans any transactions between the parent company of TikTok, ByteDance, and U.S. citizens due to national security reasons. The president signed a separate executive order banning transactions with China-based tech company Tencent, which owns the app WeChat. Both orders are set to take effect in 45 days.
The interesting part on the feds press release is the fact that TikTok will be having a leeway date wherein it can still fix its permit to the U.S.
As explained, TikTok can still operate in the country until Nov. 12. However, as part of the deal starting on Sunday, TikTok users will no longer have access to the app's updates or repairs from app stores.
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Jamie Pancho
