Officials: Trump to block US downloads of TikTok, WeChat on Sept 20

The Commerce Department order will 'deplatform' the two apps in the United States and bar Apple Inc's app store, Alphabet Inc's Google Play and others from offering the apps on any platform 'that can be reached from within the United States', a senior Commerce official said. — Bloomberg

WASHINGTON: The US Commerce Department plans to issue an order on Sept 18 that will bar people in the United States from downloading Chinese-owned messaging app WeChat and video-sharing app TikTok starting on Sept 20, three officials told Reuters.

The officials said the ban on new US downloads of TikTok could be still rescinded by President Donald Trump before it takes effect late Sunday as TikTok owner ByteDance races to clinch an agreement over the fate of its US operations.