Following TikTok, the White House also hinted that it would impose sanctions on WeChat. The authorities claims that the China’s social networking service application threatens U.S. security. Previously, under pressure from the U.S. government, the U.K. government has decided to remove China’s Huawei from its 5G network construction project. And plans to make an official announcement this week.
TikTok and WeChat removal following US sanctions
The WeChat sanctions plan might cause serious repercussions in line with TikTok. In an interview with Gray Televisions on the 7th, U.S. President Trump said, “We are considering banning the use of TikTok”. He added, “Banning TikTok is one of many ways to fight back against China. Which has killed Americans with a new type of coronavirus infection.” In a recent interview with Fox News, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeii also mentioned that he is definitely considering banning Chinese social media including TikTok.
WeChat and TikTok are apps used by more than 1 billion people around the world. And in the U.S., more than 50 million people are reportedly using them, mainly teenagers.
In the U.S., erasing Chinese social media network has begun. With private companies at the center Amazon as well as Wells Fargo, a commercial bank, has asked its employees to remove TikTok from their phones. Amazon later reversed the notice, saying it was a mistake.
Sanctions against the IT industry are spreading to the UK. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson planned to announce a plan within this week to phase out Huawei from the 5G network project. According to The Times, U.S. pressure on Britain is getting stronger. Robert O’Brien, an aide to the National Security Council (NSC), plans to hold a meeting with Mark Sedwil, British Minister of the Cabinet, in Paris on the 13th and ask him to speed up the withdrawal of Huawei. In Britain, there are growing calls for the removal of Huawei by 2023 for national security, led by the conservative party at the center.
