US WeChat Users Can Keep Using it as Tencent Talks With Government
Liao Shumin
DATE:  Sep 21 2020
/ SOURCE:  Yicai
US WeChat Users Can Keep Using it as Tencent Talks With Government US WeChat Users Can Keep Using it as Tencent Talks With Government

(Yicai Global) Sept. 21 -- Current US users of WeChat may continue to use the social-networking mini-program as a communications tool, Tencent Holdings, the Chinese internet giant that operates the instant-messaging and payment app, said in a filing yesterday to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, which added WeChat’s upgrades may be adversely impacted.

WeCom is the overseas version of WeChat Work, and is a tool used for the internal communication and management of organizations and companies. It is an entirely different product from WeChat, Shenzhen-based Tencent Holdings also said in addressing the issue of running WeCom in the US. The Chinese Internet titan had the WeCom trademark registered on Aug. 19, records from US Patent and Trademark Office show.

The US Secretary of Commerce has identified the WeChat app-related transactions which are prohibited, effective as of yesterday, ostensibly to protect the country’s national security.

The ‘Identification of Prohibited Transactions’ sets a number of limits and bans related to the use of WeChat App within US national borders, including prohibiting WeChat App from being distributed or maintained through online mobile app stores in the country, as well as the provision of certain technical services -- e.g. content delivery, hosting and peering services --- to enable the functioning or optimization of WeChat App there.

The number of WeChat downloads surged on Sept. 18 when US commerce department announced the ban, and the app’s ranking skyrocketed to 100th place from below the 1,000th in Apple’s App Store. WeChat was banned from mobile app stores in the US yesterday.

Tencent is evaluating the influence of its inclusion among the prohibited transactions and will continue to negotiate with the US government and other stakeholders to reach a long-term solution.

Editor: Ben Armour

 

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Keywords:   Wechat,Tencent