Washington (CNN Business) The Commerce Department plans to restrict access to TikTok and WeChat on Sunday as the Trump administration's executive orders against the two apps are set to take effect.
The Department said Friday that as of Sunday, any moves to distribute or maintain WeChat or TikTok on an app store will be prohibited. Apple and Google didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
While users who have already downloaded the apps may be able to continue using the software, the restrictions mean updated versions of the apps cannot be downloaded.
"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," Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said Friday morning on Fox Business.
The restrictions targeting WeChat are more extensive. Beginning Sunday, it will be illegal to host or transfer internet traffic associated with WeChat, the Department said in a release . The same will be true for TikTok as of Nov. 12, it said. (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.)
oXI_ENIGMAZ_IXo on September 18th, 2020 at 14:54 UTC »
Releasing Monday, brand new app TokTik! Get it soon!
westhe on September 18th, 2020 at 12:23 UTC »
Has there ever been a ban like this before on an already popular app?
northernlightsorbust on September 18th, 2020 at 12:20 UTC »
Really curious how this will shake out in the long run. And what happens to current users. Article mentions that any actions to maintain the apps would be prohibited, so would that include full on server shutdowns for US users?