Commerce Department announces clampdown on TikTok and WeChat begins Sunday

Published September 18, 2020 12:43pm ET



The Trump administration announced on Friday that it will begin blocking business transactions in the United States with popular Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok and messaging app WeChat over the weekend.

The new Commerce Department rules bar TikTok and WeChat from appearing on U.S. app stores starting after midnight on Sunday, although users who have the apps will still be able to use them, albeit without the ability to download updates or security patches. A host of other severe restrictions against WeChat will also go into effect at that time and will greatly degrade the app’s functionality in the U.S., but TikTok will be given until Nov. 12 to work out a deal with U.S. companies and approved by the Treasury Department and President Trump.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.