IPhone users in the United States quickly installed the WeChat messaging app before the order went into effect, which prohibits them from downloading the app, as well as the short video sharing app TikTok.
WeChat downloads rose to the
100th most-downloaded app in the US on Friday, according to mobile analytics
company SensorTower. And the app usually ranks between 1000 and 1500 during the
current year.
A SensorTower spokesperson said
in an email to Bloomberg News: Friday was the first time the app entered the
top 500 so far in 2020.
On Friday, the US government
moved to ban WeChat, which is run by Chinese company Tencent, and TikTok, owned
by Chinese company ByteDance, citing national security concerns. The ban is set
to go into effect on Sunday, and US consumers will be prevented from
downloading apps or installing updates.
On Sunday, WeChat will also be
subject to a ban that prevents it from using US companies to conduct
transactions and make online traffic, which means that people who still use the
app will likely encounter slowdowns and glitches. Because the third-party tech
services that keep it running will not work anymore.
"WeChat will be closed in
the US for all practical purposes," Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said on
Fox Business.
SensorTower said: TikTok's
ranking as the fourth most popular app on the App Store from Apple did not
change on Friday. He did not withdraw from the top 15 throughout 2020.
It is noteworthy that company ByteDance is currently negotiating a deal to hand over control of its
operations and data in the United States to Oracle, in order to satisfy US
concerns that the data of Americans who use the application will not fall into
the hands of the Chinese government.
TikTok will still be able to deal
with US companies until November 12th. This means that the app, which is hugely
popular among young Americans, will likely continue to work with users even
after the Nov.3 presidential election.
Chinese officials - who will have
to agree to the final TikTok deal - described US actions against the two
apps as "economic bullying."
Dear readers, after reading the Content please ask for advice and to provide constructive feedback Please Write Relevant Comment with Polite Language.Your comments inspired me to continue blogging. Your opinion much more valuable to me. Thank you.