> Judge Beeler, sitting in San Francisco, noted that "while the general evidence about the threat to national security related to China (regarding technology and mobile technology) is considerable, the specific evidence about WeChat is modest".

I understand the presidential prerogative for national security. I also understand it’s the judges who get to check said authority.

In this case it’s pretty interesting. The judge admits there is evidence, but not overwhelming so limits authority over wechat. However, we know (for a fact) China effectively forces every one of its citizens (and visitors) on wechat[1]. Honestly, the evidence is probably more solid for wechat there than other apps.

Personally, I bet this wasn’t explicitly based on just evidence. Wechat is also the only way many Chinese communicate with family members back home, transfer funds, etc. I suspect it’s also the damage it’ll cause.

In any case, I suspect this will be overturned as spying on communications by a foreign power IS a big security risk. Further, particularly with wechat, it seems like a way to capture communications of other people (who don’t use the app, but message people who do).

[1] https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/wechat-spying-on-foreig...