A United States judge on Sunday blocked the government’s order asking Google and Apple to remove Chinese-owned messaging app WeChat from their stores for download, Reuters reported. WeChat, owned by a Chinese company called Tencent, is very popular among Chinese-speaking Americans.
US Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler said that the lawsuit filed by WeChat users raised “serious questions” about the country’s First Amendment, which pertains to free speech, and “the balance of hardships tips in the plaintiffs’ favour.” The users had argued that the ban on the all-in-one app with social media, instant messaging and other communication tools would curb free speech, according to AP.
The decision came after the US on Friday ordered a ban on WeChat and video-sharing app TikTok from September 20, citing threats to national security and data privacy amid rising tension…