The possible ban would cover the state security sector, not the general public. In Indonesia, meanwhile, state media reported the video-sharing app had applied for a government e-commerce permit.

Politicians say the move seems to ‘stifle freedom of expression’ in Nepal and call for regulations to counter abuse of social media instead.

The ban was announced after an assessment that Tencent-owned WeChat and Moscow’s Kaspersky ‘present an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security,’ Canada’s Treasury Board said.

Alibaba.com is targeting Chinese merchants that have been affected by Indonesia’s rule change, offering better support and targeted export plans.

The US state says the company misrepresents its app’s safety and deceptively portrays itself as independent of its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.

The move calls into question the independence of the app’s operations and the security of US user information, lawmakers say in a letter to CEO Shou Zi Chew.

The former US vice-president, who is set to deliver a policy speech on Beijing next week, called the app a platform for China’s government.

Many TikTok Shop listings mention products being shipped from China, home to parent firm ByteDance, potentially reigniting US regulatory concerns if user data is put in the hands of Chinese sellers.

First Amendment lawyers and digital security experts argue that university research and collaborations like peer reviews have been undermined.

Mayor’s office says NYC Cyber Command concluded app posed a security threat to the city’s technical networks.

The move came after a private citizen complained that the app’s addictive nature would lead to a rise in depression and anxiety among the youth.

NetChoice and Chamber of Progress say the Montana ban will ‘usher in a Balkanised internet’, divided based on ‘local politicians’ whims or preferences’.

Cryptographer Vanessa Teague urges parliamentary inquiry into foreign interference to ‘think critically’ about submissions that call for a ban on Chinese apps over alleged links to the Communist Party.

A majority of survey respondents said they saw the advantages of bilateral relations, but most are also in favour of banning WeChat and TikTok, support more defence spending and see China as a security threat.

Democratic Senator Mark Warner said aggressive lobbying ‘slowed a bit of our momentum’ on a new bill targeting TikTok, which critics say greatly expands government power.

TikTok Shop is a fast-growing feature within China’s short-video app, with a burgeoning fan base in Southeast Asia, Indonesia the successful launch pad and Chinese entrepreneurs part of the action.

V Pappas, who joined TikTok in 2018 as general manager and was promoted to interim head in 2020, says she wants focus on ‘entrepreneurial passions’.

Decision to publicly go after blue-chip 5G providers reflects Brussels’ frustration with the bloc’s slow pace of change in ensuring network security.

After ‘one wades through the political posturing’, the case against TikTok ‘rises and falls on matters particular to’ Indiana law, a US district judge wrote.

Chew Shou Zi said his firm will win a legal challenge against the ban and said Beijing ‘never asked us for US users’ data, we will not provide even if asked’.

Federal complaint seeks to overturn bill signed by Governor Ron DeSantis prohibiting such purchases by citizens from China and other countries.

The company, owned by ByteDance in China, argues the ban violates its First Amendment rights and those of its users.

The content creators argue the state is trying to exercise powers over national security that it does not have, and is violating their First Amendment rights.