Published 07:51 IST, August 23rd 2020
US WeChat Users Alliance sues Trump over executive order banning Chinese messaging app
A nonprofit called US WeChat Users Alliance, as well as several other people who use the Chinese Messaging app, have decided to file a suit against Trump
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US WeChat Users Alliance, as well as several or people who use Chinese Messaging app, have decided to file a lawsuit against US President Donald Trump and his executive order that would restrict functioning of app in country.
individuals who have joined suit have claimed that y are t affiliated with WeChat or its parent company Tencent Holdings and have decided to file lawsuit since y rely on Chinese messaging app for work, religious practices, and staying in touch with relatives and friends in China.
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lawsuit has been filed in San Francisco and asks court to halt Trump’s executive order. plaintiffs have claimed that order violates ir freedom of speech, free exercise of religion, and or constitutional rights.
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Ban infringes Freedom of speech
Michael Bien, one of plaintiffs' attorneys on August 22 said, “We think re's a First Amendment interest in providing continued access to that app and its functionality to Chinese-American community.”
On August 6, US President Donald Trump signed executive orders on several Chines apps such as WeChat and widely popular app TikTok. He has claimed that developers of se apps collude with Chinese government and are refore a national security risk. executive orders are extremely vague and take effect from September 20 which is 45 days after y were signed. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has been tasked with coming up with finer details of ban.
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Within China, WeChat is severely censored and all content such as messs and pictures are monitored but despite this, app is only connection that millions of people in US have with China. WeChat Users Alliance, a nprofit organisation, has also argued that it is only app with an interface designed for Chinese speakers.
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TikTok vows to stay despite ban
Despite Trump's executive orders restricting TikTok’s ability to operates in United States, Chinese video-sharing app's senior executive Vanessa Pappas has stated that social media platform will continue with its operations in country.
In her first interview since executive orders were signed by Trump, Pappas said that re are multiple paths ahead of app to be able to continue providing millions of US citizens with an amazing experience. She also tweeted stating that TikTok was t a national security threat as is being claimed by Trump administration.
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07:51 IST, August 23rd 2020