The U.S. government’s ban on WeChat (WeChat International) and TikTok (Jitterbug International) goes into effect on September 20, when the U.S. Department of Commerce will ban the downloading of WeChat and TikTok mobile applications. At that time, the U.S. Department of Commerce will prohibit the downloading of WeChat and TikTok, and the ban will cover transactional activities on these two platforms. After Sept. 20, the apps will retain some functionality in the U.S., but their functionality will be weakened and they will not be able to be updated, according to the Commerce Department’s announcement. The move is to protect U.S. national security, the announcement said.
However, Reuters reported on Sept. 18 that China’s Tencent had renamed its WeChat (WeChat International) app to WeCom as a potential replacement for WeChat before the U.S. ban took effect.
According to records at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Tencent’s trademark registration for the WeChat name change took place on August 19. Reuters quoted two sources at Tencent as saying that WeCom is not covered by the U.S. ban on WeChat-related transactions. However, Tencent does not appear to be actively promoting WeCom, and there has been no surge in downloads. Tencent would not comment on questions posed by Reuters.
WeChat is an instant messaging software launched by China’s Tencent on Jan. 21, 2011, which supports Android and iOS mobile operating systems. With services such as text messaging, social media, and payment functions, it is known as a super-app that encompasses every aspect of Chinese Internet users’ daily lives. WeChat is said to have more than one billion users.
In the United States, WeChat is widely used by Chinese people and is one of the main social media platforms they use to communicate with friends and family. According to the analytics firm Apptopia, WeChat has an average of 19 million daily active users in the United States.
Some Twitter users were not impressed with Tencent’s new WeCom software registration, arguing that Tencent must be sanctioned no matter what name they change WeChat to! You’ll see if you don’t believe me! Some netizens also asked Tencent, “Do you think people won’t recognize you if you change your vest?”
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