After the ordinance signed by the US government last August, now comes the official ban on TikTok and WeChat. Both apps will start next September 20th they will no longer be available on the Google and Apple stores. The new executive order concretizes what was previously rumored, when the ban was not yet outlined at 100%. A decision that falls fully within the Clean Network program, with which the United States wants to ostracize Chinese companies deemed hostile from its ecosystem. Among the five key points around which this program revolves we find one, Clean Store, which puts this decision on paper. Remove apps deemed malicious, such as TikTok and WeChat, from Google and the App Store: "they threaten privacy, viruses proliferate and spread by propagating and disinformation".
Upgrade 10 / 06: the Biden presidency decides to cancel the ban. Find all the information at the end of the article.
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Take the ban of the TikTok and WeChat apps from Play Store and App Store
As the US Department of Commerce press release states, "the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has the means and motivation to use these apps to threaten national security, US foreign policy and economy. The combined bans protect users by eliminating access to these applications and significantly reducing their functionality. "
Here is what was declared by Secretary Wilbur Ross: "Today's actions demonstrate once again that President Trump will do everything in his power to ensure our national security and protect Americans from the threads of the Chinese Communist Party. We have taken significant action to combat China's malicious collection of US citizens' personal data. While promoting our national values, rules-based democratic norms, and aggressive enforcement of U.S. laws and regulations".
The ban will be effective starting from 20 September 2020, the date from which it will no longer be possible to find the TikTok and WeChat apps on the respective Google and Apple stores. Additionally, WeChat can no longer be used for money transfer within the US. The press release also speaks of the "ban on providing hosting services for the operation of the app in the US", although it is not clear whether this will mean the inability to use them on Android. As we all know, in fact, their absence on the Google Play Store does not mean the impossibility of installing via APK file. However, this ban could mean the inability to function properly, not being able to rely on US servers.
TikTok and WeChat avoid the ban, for now | Update 21/09
The US Department of Commerce announced the postponement of the ban to 27 September. Evidently, the formalization of the ban on running on Android and Apple stores has stirred up the negotiations that were underway with ByteDance. Unlike Microsoft, the odd couple Oracle e Walmart is in pole position to take the reins of social media in the USA. Oracle would handle the duties of a technology partner, while Walmart would handle the purely commercial duties. Both companies would take full control of TikTok's operations in the US, headquartered in Texas and creating approximately 25.000 jobs. As TikTok's Vanessa Pappas specifies, "both Oracle and Walmart will take part in TikTok Global's pre-IPO funding round where they can acquire up to a cumulative 20% stake in the company".
In the case of WeChat, the situation is more thorny but the ban has also been postponed for the Chinese messaging app. This is thanks to the intervention of the San Francisco District Court, having upheld the complaint made by the WeChat Users Alliance. Judge Laurel Beeler said that despite fears of a breach of national security, the Commerce Department did not provide enough evidence to validate the ban. At this point the situation will rebound in court, so we will talk about it again shortly.
Judge again opposes the US | Update 28/09
Nothing for the Commerce Department to do. Columbia District Judge Carl Nichols formalizes the ban on the ban against TikTok. The block should have started at midnight last day, while it will not, leaving the app available for download in the USA. The details have not yet been revealed in their entirety, pending that the lawyers of the two sides can consult the various documents.
According to attorney John Hall, in defense of TikTok, "is one of the fastest growing apps in the world and new users are the lifeblood of this business, which is true of any social media platform. If it disappeared from the app stores, the effect would be devastating for users, content, creators and would damage its reputation with advertisers ”.
China talks about WTO violations | Update 06/10
Although the ban on TikTok and WeChat has been suspended, we are pretty sure that the US will do everything to get it confirmed. Meanwhile, a meeting of the WTO (World Trade Organization) was held, the organization that regulates trade agreements between the nations of the world. On that occasion, China's emissaries said that the moves taken by the US government would violate some of the WTO laws. As stated behind closed doors by a Chinese representative, "are measures that are clearly inconsistent with WTO rules, restrict cross-border trading services and violate the basic principles and objectives of the multilateral trading system".
It was again pointed out that, even at the requests of the judges, the US has been unable to provide concrete evidence to confirm its allegations. At the same time, some US representatives have also had their say, specifying how the US has defended its actions, trying to mitigate national security risks. At this point, there are those who expect China to file a legal complaint with the World Trade Organization.
US ban on TikTok blocked | Update 02/11
It seems that this story is destined to hold ground for a long time to come. A few hours ago, in fact, a judge area of Pennsylvania blocked the US ban, mainly for one reason. According to the sentence, in fact, the ban attacks the creators of this platform, specifically against the American ones. Obviously, therefore, this case was brought forward by three characters in particular, quite influential on this platform, namely Douglas Marland, Cosette Rinab and Alec Chambers.
It is not known how this affair can go on, also because Trump does not seem to want to back down an inch on this decision. We will see what happens, then, in the coming weeks, when this ban actually goes into effect.
TikTok awaits news from the US government | Update 11/11
From 12th November it should be officially banned TikTok in the United States. At the moment, however, the Chinese company does not know what its fate will be, as no details have been provided regarding this matter. TikTok, in fact, had requested a further one extension of 30 days, which appears to have fallen into a black hole.
Some communication, in the next few hours, should come from United States Foreign Investment Commission (CFIUS). Of course, if no response comes in, TikTok will go through legal channels to try to defend its rights, its image and all 1.500 employees working in the US.
US lets go | Update 13/11
A report from the Wall Street Journal highlights how the US Department of Commerce has chosen to do not enforce the restraining order of the ban against TikTok. November 12 has now passed, a real agreement has not yet been reached, but the ByteDance app is still operational on US soil. The ban would have prevented American hosting services from hosting the contents of the Chinese social network, which has not arrived. The situation is still smoky, but this standby comes from the aforementioned decision imposed by the Pennsylvania court, mentioned by the US government itself.
At this point the ball should go to the newly elected president Joe Biden. It is unclear whether the deal that would have guaranteed Oracle and Walmart 20% of TikTok's shares will go through or not. As we have analyzed in this editorial, Biden previously spoke negatively towards the app, even banning its employees from using it during the presidential campaign. We will see if in the course of 2021 an agreement will be reached between the US and China or if everything will turn into nothing.
Skip the ultimatum for ByteDance | Update 07/12
December 4th has now passed and, with it, the date on which theultimatum addressed by the Trump government against ByteDance and its TikTok. But as noted above, tensions between the parties have eased since Joe Biden was officially elected. Compared to what was expected, an agreement has not yet been reached, despite the expiration date set by the US presidency. According to internal sources, the ultimatum should not be renewed, also because ByteDance is already in talks for the sale of TikTok operations.
The US Treasury Department itself stated that the Chinese company will not face any fine for not having met the required deadlines. The reason is always due to the existence of a negotiation that is approaching its end. The intention of the Trump presidency would be to conclude everything by January 20, the day on which Biden will officially enter the White House. There have been no more rumors about who will take over TikTok in the West, but the most accredited theory remains the one that sees the combination of Oracle and Walmart.
Biden presidency postpones to June | Update 13/04
Since the former Trump presidency gave way to Biden, the TikTok issue has gradually disappeared from the radar of the US authorities. What appeared to be an ultimatum turned out to be a soap bubble that burst with no harm to the Chinese-born social network. To date, in fact, the app is quietly used all over the world, continuing to grind numbers after numbers. Not only that: ByteDance has not sold its property and the ongoing negotiations with Oracle and Walmart seem to have been wrecked. Also because it seems that the intentions were to block the use of the app in the US rather than sell it.
In all of this, some might ask: what now? Won't the US government do anything? Actually the US presidency has recently spoken out on the subject, albeit vaguely. All we know is that he wants to take time for understand how to move and that it will do so by11nd June. Here is what was declared in February by the spokesman for the National Security Council: "We plan to develop a comprehensive approach to protecting US data that addresses the full range of threats we face. This includes the risk posed by Chinese apps and other software operating in the United States. In the coming months, we plan to look into specific cases in light of a full understanding of the risks we face".
The stop at the ban arrives | Update 10/06
It was only a matter of time before the US officially decided to cancel the ban against TikTok and WeChat. After the decision of the Trump government, the one signed by Biden decides to back down. Initially scheduled for autumn / winter 2020, the ban would have effectively removed the two apps from American stores, as they were deemed potentially dangerous for US users. TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, had even considered selling the operations to companies such as Microsoft, Oracle and Walmart. Now the executive order was revoked, even if a review of the apps from foreign companies is planned, with which to create "clear and understandable criteria"To determine possible risks.
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