Social News
Written by: Hu Jiaxin
2020-09-18 23:48
Last update date: 2020-09-18 23:48
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that it will ban the download of the mainland communication software WeChat (WeChat international version) and the short video sharing platform Tiktok (Tik Tok international version) starting Sunday (20th).
Fang Baoqiao, honorary chairman of the Hong Kong Information Technology Chamber of Commerce, said that he believes that it will have an impact on Hong Kong companies involved in Sino-US business.
He pointed out that the mainland has banned WhatsApp, telegram, facebook and other communication and social platforms in the early years, so Chinese and American companies mainly rely on WeChat for communication. Once banned, there is no other instant messaging software to replace or return to traditional email. Or SMS text message.
▼TikTok is struggling in the Sino-US struggle▼
Ban WeChat on September 20 Ban TikTok on November 12
Sino-US relations continue to heat up. The US Department of Commerce issued an announcement that starting from the 20th of this month, mobile application platforms are prohibited from downloading or updating WeChat and TikTok programs, and WeChat payment transactions are also prohibited.
WeChat’s ban will take effect on September 20, and TikTok will take effect on November 12.
The announcement also mentioned that if TikTok can resolve the US national security concerns on November 12, the ban may be lifted.
The Ministry of Commerce statement pointed out that the threats posed by WeChat and TikTok are not exactly the same, but the situation is similar. They also collect a large amount of user data, including network activities, user location, and even browsing and search records. They can interact with the intelligence department of the Chinese Communist Party. The cooperation of the two general-purpose applications constitutes an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States.
US Department of Commerce: CCP threatens the US with WeChat and TikTok
The statement also stated that the Chinese Communist Party has demonstrated the means and motives of using these apps to threaten U.S. national security, foreign policy, and the U.S. economy. This action once again reflects that the U.S. President will take all feasible methods to ensure national security and protect citizens. Free from the threat of the Chinese Communist Party.
The Ministry of Commerce has also imposed more technical restrictions on the two applications. These restrictions will take effect on WeChat on Sunday, and the restrictions on TikTok will take effect on November 12.
Foreign news reports indicate that WeChat will no longer be able to operate in the United States from Sunday.
Fang Baoqiao, honorary chairman of the Hong Kong Information Technology Chamber of Commerce, said that he believes that the prohibition of WeChat will have an impact on Hong Kong companies involved in Sino-US business.
(Information Picture / Photo by Gao Zhongming)
China bans other apps except WeChat and no other apps can be used
Fang Baoqiao, honorary chairman of the Hong Kong Information Technology Chamber of Commerce, said that he believes that the US has implemented the ban to prevent WeChat from stealing confidential domestic information and to prevent Tiktok from becoming a political public opinion platform, affecting the US election in November.
He believes that the ban will have an impact on the exchanges between Chinese and American companies, including Hong Kong businessmen who do business in mainland China and the United States, and people who communicate with the three places at the same time.
Because the mainland has banned WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook and other communication and social platforms in the early years, the two places rely on WeChat for communication. He bluntly said that "no other can be used". Once WeChat is banned, there is no other instant messaging software to replace it, or It is necessary to return to the traditional e-mail or SMS message, which greatly reduces the efficiency of communication.
He pointed out that if locals in the United States still want to use WeChat or Tiktok in the future, it is estimated that there are still "walking positions" that can be downloaded through other countries' online mobile program platforms and then used "over the wall".
Fang continued to point out that many local businesses in the United States have installed WeChat, AliPay and other trading platforms to facilitate payment by mainland or Hong Kong tourists. After they are completely banned in the future, it is a "smash-off" transaction network that WeChat has built for many years.
As for Tiktok as an emerging social platform, if many American companies want to open up the Chinese market, he thinks they will sell ads on Tiktok. Once Tiktok is disabled, there will be one less publicity and business platform.
On September 18th, Tencent Holdings (0700) closed at HK$525.00, down HK$2.00, or 0.38%.
(China News Service)
TikTok issued a statement opposing the decision of the U.S. Department of Commerce and will insist on litigation to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of users, creators, partners and companies.
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