In a decisive move to address national security concerns, the United States banned several apps linked to ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok. This decision made due to concerns about data privacy and the influence of foreign-controlled technology in the U.S. market. Popular apps like Marvel Snap and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang disappeared from app stores and became inaccessible to U.S. users.
Why Marvel Snap and Mobile Legends Got Banned
The “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act” led to the ban. This legislation aims to reduce risks associated with apps connected to foreign adversaries. ByteDance, long scrutinized for its ownership of TikTok, now faces broader restrictions on its applications.
Apps Affected by the Ban
Several high-profile apps faced removal, including:
- TikTok: The social media giant disappeared from U.S. app stores and became inaccessible to users.
- Marvel Snap: Second Dinner, a California-based studio, developed Marvel Snap. However, its publisher, Nuverse, operates as a ByteDance subsidiary. Consequently, the game vanished from iOS and Android app stores. Players lost access on PC through Steam. Second Dinner expressed surprise and continues to work on resolving the issue.
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang: This globally popular mobile game, created by Moonton and owned by ByteDance, also became unavailable in the U.S.
Compliance by Tech Giants
Apple and Google promptly complied with the directive. They removed the specified apps from their stores. U.S. users attempting to access these applications now see notifications explaining their unavailability.
Impact on Users
The app removals disrupted millions of U.S. users who relied on them for entertainment. Interesting a notification, displayed in TikTok’s app, read, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
It also mentioned that “President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!” These sudden changes have left users frustrated and uncertain about the future of their favorite apps.
Companies like Second Dinner and Moonton raised concerns about the sudden takedown. They continue to explore ways to restore access for U.S. players.
Conclusion
The ban on Marvel Snap and Mobile Legends marks a pivotal moment in the U.S. approach to safeguarding national security through technology regulation. The immediate impact, including the removal of popular apps, underscores the broader implications for app development and international tech partnerships.
Stay tuned for updates as this situation unfolds.