The U.S. Department of Commerce made the announcement on Friday.

Welp. It's happening. The U.S. Department of Commerce (DoC) announced that the United States will ban TikTok and WeChat downloads.

TikTok will be allowed to operate within the U.S. until November 12, which means that existing users will not be affected. However, on Sunday, the app will no longer be available to download from the iOS App Store and Google's Play Store.

"The only real change as of Sunday night will be [TikTok users] won't have access to improved apps, updated apps, upgraded apps or maintenance," Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said Friday.

Meanwhile, WeChat will be completely dismantled on September 20.

"For all practical purposes, it will be shut down in the U.S., but only in the U.S., as of midnight Monday," said Ross.

According to the DoC, (taken directly from the press release):

"As of September 20, 2020, the following transactions are prohibited: 

  1. Any provision of service to distribute or maintain the WeChat or TikTok mobile applications, constituent code, or application updates through an online mobile application store in the U.S.;
  2. Any provision of services through the WeChat mobile application for the purpose of transferring funds or processing payments within the U.S."

It also states:

"As of September 20, 2020, for WeChat and as of November 12, 2020, for TikTok, the following transactions are prohibited:

  1. Any provision of internet hosting services enabling the functioning or optimization of the mobile application in the U.S.;
  2. Any provision of content delivery network services enabling the functioning or optimization of the mobile application in the U.S.;
  3. Any provision directly contracted or arranged internet transit or peering services enabling the function or optimization of the mobile application within the U.S.;
  4. Any utilization of the mobile application’s constituent code, functions, or services in the functioning of software or services developed and/or accessible within the U.S.

The press release goes on to say that should the "national security concerns" that TikTok poses be resolved by November 12, the list of prohibitions (above) "may be lifted."

Read more about the TikTok, WeChat ban on the official press release by the U.S. Department of Commerce. 

What do you think about TikTok and WeChat being banned in the U.S.? Share your thoughts in the comments below.