Opinion: Trump’s TikTok, WeChat ban is Big Tech’s problem, too

The threat Trump’s order poses to the Chinese apps is clear. But the details cited inside the orders may cause future headaches for the biggest US tech firms, too. — AP

It finally happened. After a month of threatening to do so, US President Donald Trump issued executive orders that will ban the popular Chinese-owned social media apps TikTok and WeChat in the US on national security concerns.

There are still some unknowns around the language and implementation of the decrees, and there’s a chance they get dialed back later during trade negotiations between the US and China. Whatever happens, there will likely be lasting negative ramifications – and not just for Chinese firms, but for American technology companies as well.