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To assure national security and prevent the collection of data and personal information of Americans by the Chinese companies, Trump finally announced the ban of a few most common Chinese apps. According to the announcement on Thursday, the Chinese video-sharing app, Tik Tok, and another Chinese app WeChat will be banned in the U.S.

Imposing a ban within 45 days

In response to the miserable and horrendous consequences of the pandemic which spread from the Wuhan city of China, many nations have turned against this Asian country. A month ago, India banned the Chinese apps and now Trump is making efforts to stop the intervention of these “untrusted” Chinese companies. Trump further said that it is an effort to keep the U.S. digital network safe from “significant threats” as Tik Tok is charged with data collection. The tension between Washington and Beijing keeps on increasing and will become more intensified in the upcoming 45 days.

Trump imposed the ban on these Chinese apps under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This law can be used in case of any unusual and extraordinary threat thus giving power to the president of the United States to regulate international commerce. Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State, mentioned that the US will be focusing on the expansion of a clean network thus preventing the Chinese telecom companies to fetch sensitive information as well. Wilbur Ross, US Commerce Secretary, will be in charge of identifying the transactions after the order comes into effect from mid-September.

Tension keeps on increasing 

Not only the American government has ordered China to vacate its consulate from Houston, Texas but also the Chinese government has reciprocated by ordering the U.S. to vacate from the southwestern city of Chengdu. James Lewis, a technology expert based on Washington in response to the imposed ban said that it will demolish the digital world between the U.S. and China. And, the American government should be very cautious as China will retaliate and not sit silently.

Trump also mentioned that the operation of Tik Tok in the U.S. will be sold to Microsoft is the U.S. government gets a part of the sales price. But, no matter what the Chinese apps will be banned in the U.S. on 15th September 2020.

Expansion of the Clean Network

The clean network is a program under Trump’s administration to protect the privacy of American citizens and prevent leaking of sensitive information about the nation. The program clearly states that it guards the nation’s important information against intruders like the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). On 5th August 2020, five new lines of effort were announced by the United States.

• Clean Carrier: This new effort was to ensure that there is no relation or connection between the People’s Republic of China and the U.S. telecommunications network. It is for the safety of the nation that those companies should not carry any kind of telecommunication services to and from the nation.
• Clean Store: This step was taken to eradicate the untrusted Chinese application from the U.S. mobile app store.
• Clean Apps: The trusted apps should be removed from Huawei’s app store and also prevent it from pre-installing in the smartphone.
• Clean Cloud: This is one of the most important new installations in the Clean Network as sensitive information about the vaccines and researches regarding COVID-19 are stored on cloud-based systems.
• Clean Cable: The U.S. will work with foreign partners to make sure the undersea cables are not compromised.

The outrage of Tik Tok lovers

But apart from ensuring the safety of the U.S. citizens, the ban of Tik Tok has not been taken positively. There are around 100 million Americans who use Tik Tok and they have voiced against banning the app. But, to prevent theft of information that can destroy a nation, it’s high time to take a big step against China.