According to Reuters, the Joe Biden administration is reviewing app recommendations submitted by the Commerce Department on security concerns raised by the two Chinese apps WeChat and TikTok.
A White House official confirmed that the “administration is now engaged in interagency deliberations to ensure that relevant departments and agencies have the tools, authorities, and resources needed to protect Americans’ sensitive data.” The recommendations were made by the departments of Commerce and Homeland Security and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Recall that Donald Trump’s administration first tried to ban Chinese-owned WeChat and TikTok downloads by issuing an executive order outlining the decision, but US courts blocked the orders and prevented them from taking effect. The Biden administration overturned the order and instead directed the Commerce Department to investigate issues related to the apps.