WASHINGTON DC: US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order banning transactions with eight Chinese apps.

The apps include popular payments platform Alipay, as well as QQ Wallet and WeChat Pay, BBC reported.

The order, which takes effect in 45 days, says that the apps are being banned because they are a threat to US national security.

It flags the possibility that the apps could be used to track and build dossiers on US federal employees.
Tencent QQ, CamScanner, SHAREit, VMate and WPS Office are also included within the order, which only kicks in after has left office.

“The United States must take aggressive action against those who develop or control Chinese connected software applications to protect our national security,” the order said.