Over the last couple of weeks, incumbent US President Donald Trump seems to have been working harder than ever in his entire presidential term. Thus, Mr. Trump signed an executive order banning eight Chinese payment apps. The new ban prohibits any transactions with such Chinese payment platforms as Alipay, CamScanner, QQ Wallet, SHAREit, Tencent QQ, VMate, WeChat Pay, and WPS Office. According to the President, these apps pose a threat to US national security. In his address to Congress Trump says that "by accessing personal electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers, Chinese connected software applications can access and capture vast swaths of information from users, including sensitive personally identifiable information and private information. The continuing activity of the PRC and the CCP to steal or otherwise obtain United States persons’ data makes clear that there is an intent to use bulk data collection to advance China’s economic and national security agenda." The executive order will enter into force on February 19. However, when Joe Biden becomes President, he may overturn the ban.
