U.S. seeks immediate ban onWeChat

NEWYORK » The Justice Department is seeking an immediate ban on downloads ofWeChat in Apple and Google app stores, saying the Chinese-ownedmessaging service is a threat to U.S. security. The government moved last week to banWeChat from app stores butMagistrate Judge Laurel Beeler in California agreed to delay U.S. restrictions, saying they would affect users’ First Amendment rights. On Friday, the Justice Department asked Beeler to allow an immediate banwhile the case works its way through court.