Chinese apps could face subpoenas, bans under Biden order

WeChat, TikTok, other apps targeted by Trump are eligible for review by Biden’s team, sources say.

US President Joe Biden’s executive order aimed at safeguarding Americans’ sensitive data would force some Chinese apps to take tougher measures to protect private information if they want to remain in the US market, people familiar with the matter told the Reuters news agency. The goal is to keep adversaries like China and Russia from gaining access to large amounts of personal and proprietary business information. The US Department of Commerce may issue subpoenas to collect information about certain smartphone, tablet and desktop computer software applications. Then, the agency may either negotiate conditions for their use in the United States or ban the apps, according to people familiar with the matter.