“Restricted use of TikTok and WeChat from 20” from the US government

Starting from 20 (local time), the use of ‘TikTok (social networks for video sharing)’ and ‘WeChat (mobile messaging)’ will be prohibited in the United States. TikTok and WeChat are social networks created by Chinese companies, with more than 100 million users in the United States. Although TikTok is currently negotiating a sale with an American company, President Donald Trump is having a hard time revealing uncomfortable feelings about holding shares publicly.

The US Department of Commerce announced on the 18th that “as of the 20th, the use of TikTok and WeChat is prohibited in the US.” The Commerce Ministry said, “In the case of WeChat, all app downloads, content streaming and remittances in the United States will be prohibited as of November 20, and TikTok will also be subject to the same restrictions as of November 12. . TikTok will only stop downloading from the 20th.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said, “This move once again demonstrates the president’s willingness to do everything possible to protect national security and protect Americans from CCP threats.”

President Trump signed an executive order on Aug. 6 banning the parent companies of TikTok and WeChat from doing business with the United States or American companies, saying the Chinese government is collecting personal information from Americans through TikTok and WeChat.

TikTok is negotiating a sale with an American company. Initially, it was expected that there would be a high possibility of negotiating with Microsoft, but on the 13th it was announced that Oracle, which has a close relationship with President Trump, was selected as the preferred negotiator. However, even after the Oracle acquisition, the sale negotiations are running into trouble, as the White House raised concerns that TikTok’s parent company China Bitedance could have a majority stake in the US TikTok business.

At a press conference on the 17th, President Trump indirectly expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing sale negotiations, saying, “I’m not ready to approve anything.” White House Secretary Mark Meados said on the 17th: “If (TikTok) remains a dominant company in the Chinese government, this does not fit well with President Trump’s initial goal (national security).” The deadline for the sale of TikTok proposed by the Trump administration is 20 days.