The Trump administration plans to restrict access to TikTok and WeChat on Sunday as the president’s executive orders against the two apps are set to take effect.
As of Sunday, “any moves to distribute or maintain WeChat or TikTok on an app store will be prohibited,” U.S. Commerce Department officials told Reuters.
In addition, the Department said, it will be illegal to host or transfer internet traffic associated with WeChat beginning Sunday. The same will be true for TikTok as of Nov. 12, it said.
Further restrictions could still be announced later, including against other apps if they are seen to be used as workarounds.
“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,” said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in a release.
“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.”
