Biden Revokes Trump’s Executive Orders against TikTok and WeChat

US President, Joe Biden on Wednesday annulled the Trump administration’s executive orders against social platforms TikTok and WeChat. Former American President, Donald Trump had clamped down on the Chinese-owned apps in August of last year citing security reasons for the action.

Biden recently signed a new order which requires the US Commerce Department to constantly evaluate apps linked with foreign adversaries like China and take action if they’re determined to present a national security risk. The order also provides criteria for identifying apps that may pose “unacceptable risks.”

TikTok had been accused of data collection practices seen as a threat to the United States. Since then, the fate of the short video platform has been in jeopardy. One of the executive orders barred transactions with TikTok, while the other required Chinese parent ByteDance to sell the app’s US business. 

Sequel to the order, there was a scramble to find a buyer for the popular app. Two tech companies, Oracle and Walmart struck a complex deal that appeared to have gotten Trump’s approval, but it wasn’t completed before he left office.

That deal was then reportedly put on hold while the Biden administration reviewed the security risks posed by TikTok and other Chinese-owned apps. 

TikTok nor WeChat are yet to respond to requests for comment.