International
Trump orders ban on WeChat Pay and other ‘Chinese’ apps
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday ordered a ban on Alipay, WeChat Pay and other apps linked to Chinese companies, saying they could route user information to the government in Beijing.
The executive order is to take effect in 45 days, just weeks after Trump is replaced in the White House by President-elect Joe Biden.
A senior administration official said the order and its implementation has not been discussed with the “potential incoming Biden administration.”
The move by Trump comes after previous executive orders aimed at banning TikTok, which is owned by China-based ByteDance, were derailed by court rulings indicating Trump overstepped his legal authority.
The apps targeted by the new ban were chosen because of the extremely high number of downloads, which meant tens of millions of users could be at risk of having their data harnessed, according to the administration official.
“We are trying to articulate to the world and take steps to stop the encroachment of China’s big data strategy — photos, text messages, phone calls to parents — from being fed into this mass tool for global oppression,” the official said.
Trump’s order calls for the secretary of commerce to review and assess what further apps should be included in the ban.
It specifically named Alipay, CamScanner, QQ Wallet, SHAREit, Tencent QQ, VMate, WeChat Pay and WPS Office.
– AFP
Affordability or curbing million-dollar flats: Which is Singapore’s bigger housing challenge?
Singapore urged to end restrictions on Transformative Justice Collective
Crocodile breeding pond wall collapses on Bulan Island, Batam, 13 crocodiles recaptured
Bangladesh court orders seizure of S Alam Group shares amid corruption, money laundering claims
Desmond Tan criticised for “listening ear” remark in Straits Times podcast
HRW: Gaza conflict’s heinous crimes must not go unpunished despite ceasefire deal
Police investigate ‘no-person’ memorial for Gaza war victims over alleged illegal assembly
‘Pain of ceasefire is mourning lost loved ones’, Gilbert Goh expresses solidarity with Palestinians
Singapore’s leadership accused by HRW of human rights abuses under new administration
Malaysia faces human rights backslide under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim: HRW
Singapore welcomes Gaza ceasefire agreement, pledges continued humanitarian aid
Woman caught vaping on Singapore-Bangkok flight, cabin crew confiscates vape
-
Politics2 weeks agoProgress Singapore Party accuses PAP supporters of harassment during Choa Chu Kang walkabout
-
Politics2 weeks agoProgress Singapore Party volunteer files police report alleging harassment during walkabout
-
Politics1 day agoDesmond Tan criticised for “listening ear” remark in Straits Times podcast
-
Comments4 days agoNg Chee Meng faces backlash for perceived downplaying of Singaporeans’ job security concerns
-
Singapore7 days agoSM Lee Hsien Loong defends CECA, calls for integration and openness amidst political sensitivities
-
Opinion1 week agoHoles in Low Yen Ling’s allegations against PSP: No evidence provided from her volunteers
-
Comments4 days agoNetizens criticise K Shanmugam for sharing video on alleged Bukit Gombak harassment incident
-
Politics2 weeks ago
Low Yen Ling accuses PSP of “twisting the truth” over alleged harassment in Choa Chu Kang GRC
