Impending US bans on TikTok, WeChat stoke public ire in China

Last Friday, a group of WeChat users in the US launched a legal challenge against a similar executive order, saying it would bar access in the country to the Chinese messaging app. WeChat is owned by Chinese Internet giant Tencent. PHOTO: AGENCE FRAN
Last Friday, a group of WeChat users in the US launched a legal challenge against a similar executive order, saying it would bar access in the country to the Chinese messaging app. WeChat is owned by Chinese Internet giant Tencent. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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As the Trump administration faces lawsuits against its impending bans on WeChat and TikTok, Washington's moves against the two Chinese social media apps have also touched a nerve in China.

The bans, which take effect on Sept 20, have been a hot topic for discussion in the past weeks, with Chinese media and netizens saying the United States is out to bully and suppress China's growing technology companies.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 26, 2020, with the headline Impending US bans on TikTok, WeChat stoke public ire in China. Subscribe