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There are concerns about espionage and security behind the ban on using Tiktok. LEHTIKUvA / AFP
The Tiktok video app slapped its own cards on the table on Friday and said it was ready for legal action if a decree banning the app, signed by U.S. President Donald Trump, is enforced.
The Trump decree prohibits U.S. companies from doing business with Tiktok-owned ByteDance after 45 days if the company’s U.S. operations are not previously sold to a U.S. company.
– We will use all possible means to ensure that the law is complied with and that our company and users are treated fairly. If the U.S. government doesn’t want to do that, then the U.S. courts want to, the company’s statement said.
According to China, Trump’s plans to ban the popular Tiktok and Wechat apps are “political manipulation and pressure.”
According to Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry, Trump is jeopardizing the interests of American consumers and companies.
American media: Banning Wechat would not apply to popular Tencent mobile games
The Wechat app is owned by Chinese online giant Tencent. Tencent owns numerous gaming companies and also has a majority stake in the Finnish gaming company Supercell. However, according to the Los Angeles Times, the president wants to ban only Wechat, not Tencent’s other activities, such as games.
Supercell’s popular mobile games include HayDay, Clash of Clans and Clash Royale.
Wechat, on the other hand, is a very popular communication application that is used especially by Chinese living abroad to keep in touch with their home country. China has banned many popular communication apps in the West, such as Facebook’s Whatsapp app.
However, according to communications experts, Chinese intelligence agencies have used Wechat, among other things, to spy on and blocked messages from the service that have been deemed harmful to the country’s administration.
The sale of Tiktok to a US company would prevent the ban
According to CNN, the presidential decree means in practice that Tiktok will be banned from operating in the United States unless deals are made before the 45-day deadline.
There are also concerns about espionage and security behind the ban on using Tiktok. Tiktok should continue to operate if its U.S. operations are sold to a U.S. company.
Software company Microsoft has negotiated the acquisition of some of Tiktok’s features. The company has said it is considering acquiring Tiktok’s operations in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
On Thursday, the financial newspaper Financial Times reported that Microsoft would be interested in buying Tiktok in its entirety. According to the magazine, Microsoft has changed its plans because it would be difficult to split the application into more than one company.