US imposes restrictions on TikTok and WeChat 1:22
(CNN Business) -–
The government of Donald Trump said it will restrict access to TikTok on Sunday, September 20.
What does that mean for users of the short form videos app?
The short answer is that you will still be able to use TikTok if it is already on your phone.
But at midnight from Sunday to Monday TikTok will disappear from the US app stores.
This includes those operated by Apple and Google.
That means US users looking to install the app again, or looking for security patches or other updates, won't be able to get them, under Commerce Department restrictions announced Friday that limit how the app can be distributed.
Apple and Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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TikTok said in a statement that it disagreed and was disappointed by the government's announcement.
"Our community of 100 million US users loves TikTok because it is a home for entertainment, self-expression and connection," said the company.
"We are committed to protecting your privacy and security as we continue to work to bring joy to families and meaningful careers for those who believe in our platform," she added.
For months, the Trump administration has alleged that TikTok is a national security risk because the app is owned by a Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
The Government has stated that ByteDance could be required to hand over TikTok user data to the Chinese Government.
This would compromise the security and privacy of US users.
In August, President Trump signed two decrees aimed at banning the app and forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok.
The arguments about TikTok security
TikTok has insisted that US user information is stored outside of China, beyond the reach of Beijing.
It further states that the company would reject any effort by China to obtain the information.
Cybersecurity experts have said that there is no evidence that TikTok has been compromised by the Chinese government.
They consider that the danger, while plausible, is largely hypothetical.
Some security experts have criticized the Commerce Department's limitations.
Their argument is that they would prevent security updates from being delivered to WeChat and TikTok users.
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A senior trade official dismissed this as "simplistic criticism."
"The argument that we are eroding security because we do not allow an untrusted entity to send security updates to applications that are no longer trusted falls under its own weight," said the official.
These are the details of the agreement between TikTok and Oracle 1:36
The new restrictions emerge as the administration evaluates a partnership between TikTok and Oracle aimed at addressing national security concerns raised by the government.
In a call about the restrictions this morning, the Commerce Department declined to say what would happen if that deal were finalized before Sunday night.
If businesses are unable to complete a deal by November 12, further restrictions will apply to TikTok.
These could degrade its functionality, department officials said.
The restrictions would apply to internet infrastructure companies in ways that could hamper the transfer of content from TikTok, which could slow it down or create service disruptions.
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