The White House has hinted at a timeframe for taking action against TikTok, the popular social video app owned by Chinese Internet company. Last week secretary of state Mike Pompeo said the Trump administration was’certainly looking at’ banning the app now Trump’s chief of staff Mark meadows says a move could come within weeks.

‘there are a number of administration officials who are looking at the national security risk as it relates to the gathering of information on American citizens by a foreign adversary,’ he said.

Tiktok denies that it is a security risk, and has taken measures to distance itself from the Chinese version of the app. The company pulled out of Hong Kong last week after the region adopted a new national security law giving further power to the central Chinese government.

‘TikTok is led by an American CEO, with hundreds of employees and key leaders across safety, security, product, and public policy here in the US,’ Pompeo said.’we have no higher priority than promoting a safe and secure app experience for our users. We have never provided user data to the Chinese government, nor would we do so if asked’.