The Canadian government has ordered TikTok to conclude its business operations in the country following a national security review. However, Canadians will still be allowed to use the popular social media app. The decision was based on security concerns over the app and its Chinese owner, ByteDance. The government emphasized that they are not blocking Canadians’ access to TikTok or their ability to create content, as it is a personal choice. The exact timeline for TikTok to wind up its business in Canada was not specified. TikTok has vowed to challenge the order in court, stating that shutting down its Canadian offices would result in the loss of hundreds of local jobs.
There have been concerns raised by Western governments about TikTok potentially sharing sensitive data with the Chinese government or being used as a misinformation tool. Chinese law allows the government to compel companies to aid in intelligence gathering. A U.S. law that would ban TikTok in the country unless ByteDance divests its ownership stake is currently facing legal challenges. The Canadian government had previously banned TikTok on all government devices, and intelligence reports have flagged TikTok as a potential threat due to its reach and influence platform for Beijing. Despite assurances from TikTok, there is evidence suggesting that its data may be accessible to China.
TikTok is the first Chinese-owned app to reach over a billion users globally, outside of China. This has raised concerns about the potential exploitation of the platform by Beijing. A 2022 intelligence brief by Canada’s Privy Council Office highlighted the concerns about TikTok, stating that there is growing evidence that the app’s data is accessible to China, despite assurances from the company. The government continues to monitor the situation and has taken measures to address security risks associated with TikTok. TikTok has argued that the same level of scrutiny should be applied to all social media companies, not just targeting them.
The decision to order TikTok to end its business in Canada was made based on advice from Canada’s security and intelligence community and input from other government partners. While the company operates multiple offices in Toronto and Vancouver, its presence in Canada is smaller compared to its operations in the U.S. where it is also facing threats of a ban. TikTok has been a popular platform for political parties in Canada, despite the government’s previous ban on its use on government devices. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has warned about the potential threat posed by TikTok, echoing concerns raised by the country’s spy agency. The situation surrounding TikTok remains uncertain as the company challenges the order in court and governments continue to monitor the security implications associated with the app.
