Apple Pulls WhatsApp, Threads from China Store; US Moves to Force TikTok Sale

Apple has removed WhatsApp and Threads from its China App Store following government orders, amid escalating tensions over app security. Concurrently, US Congress advances legislation requiring TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance, to divest, citing national security concerns.

Apple Removes Meta's WhatsApp and Threads from China Store on Government Command

According to CNA reports, Apple pulled Meta Platforms' WhatsApp and Threads from the App Store in China on April 19, following a Chinese government decree.

"The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns," Apple said in an emailed statement to Reuters. "We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree."

The iPhone maker stated that the apps are still available for download in all other stores where they exist.

The Wall Street Journal was the first to report about the Meta app withdrawal. Meta did not immediately react to Reuters' request for comment on the WSJ report.

Congress Pushes for TikTok Sale in US, Integrating Security Measures with Foreign Aid Legislation

A campaign to force TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the social media app or risk a ban in the United States gained traction in Congress on April 18. The House of Representatives scheduled a vote for Saturday, and a senior Senate Democrat supported the measure.

The provision was included in a massive $95 billion legislative package that would offer aid to allies, including Ukraine and Israel, marking a significant step forward in Washington after months of effort.

The proposed bill, which would give ByteDance a year to sell the short-video app, received support from the United States. Maria Cantwell, the chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, whose support significantly boosts the measure's chances of becoming law.

The previous plan, passed by the House last month with overwhelming bipartisan support, would have given ByteDance only six months to sell.

Many politicians and President Joe Biden's administration believe TikTok poses a national security concern because China may compel the firm to divulge the data of its 170 million US users, despite TikTok's insistence that it has never given US data and never will.

Cantwell had been hesitant to endorse the original plan, but he now fully supports the version proposed as part of a package negotiated by House Speaker Mike Johnson.

"I'm very happy that Speaker Johnson and House leaders incorporated my recommendation to extend the Byte Dance divestment period from six months to a year," Cantwell said in a statement. "Extending the divestment period is necessary to ensure there is enough time for a new buyer to get a deal done. I support this updated legislation."

In a statement, a TikTok representative said it was "unfortunate that the House of Representatives is using the cover of important foreign and humanitarian assistance" to push through the law.

The business stated that limiting the app would violate users' free expression rights, which the First Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees. This would impact 7 million American businesses that utilize the program.

In a March interview with Reuters, Cantwell stated that she wants legislation to address broad concerns about foreign apps that will stand up in court, adding that she wanted "the strongest possible tool, and we want it to be the most robust tool we can get."

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