TikTok and WeChat get reprieve as US Commerce Department removes apps from prohibited transactions list

  • The Biden administration has reversed the Trump-era rule from last September that sought to limit the use of the Chinese apps
  • Under new rules, the Commerce Department is tasked with assessing any apps associated with foreign adversaries and their national security risks

A reflection of the US flag is seen on the signs of the WeChat and TikTok apps in this illustration picture taken September 19, 2020. Photo: Reuters
The US Commerce Department said Monday it was rescinding a list of prohibited transactions with TikTok and WeChat that were issued in September as the Trump administration sought to block new US downloads of both Chinese-owned apps.
The withdrawals came after President Joe Biden earlier this month withdrew a series of Trump-era executive orders that sought to ban new downloads of Tencent-owned WeChat and TikTok, and ordered a Commerce Department review of security concerns posed by those apps and others.
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