Canada has ordered TikTok to shut down its local offices due to national security concerns surrounding its Chinese parent company, ByteDance .
This decision was made after a thorough review by the Canadian government’s security and intelligence community, which concluded that ByteDance’s operations in Canada pose a risk to national security.
The Canadian government has taken measures to address potential national security threats by ordering TikTok, a popular video-sharing app owned by Chinese technology conglomerate ByteDance, to close its Canadian offices.
This decision reflects growing concerns about the app’s ties to the Chinese government.
Although TikTok’s Canadian offices are being shut down due to national security concerns, the app itself will not be banned, and Canadians will still be able to download, install, and use TikTok, announced François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Innovation Minister.
According to Minister François-Philippe Champagne, the Canadian government’s decision to shut down TikTok’s local offices was informed by expert advice from the country’s security and intelligence agencies. This move specifically targets the perceived risks posed by ByteDance.
According to Minister François-Philippe Champagne, Canadian law includes provisions for heightened scrutiny and review of foreign investments that could potentially compromise national security, ensuring the protection of Canada’s interests.
TikTok has expressed its intention to launch a legal challenge against the Canadian government’s order to shut down its local offices, seeking judicial review of the decision.
“Shutting down TikTok’s Canadian offices and destroying hundreds of well-paying local jobs is not in anyone’s best interest, and today’s shutdown order will do just that,” the company said.
TikTok’s Canadian offices in Toronto and Vancouver employed advertising sales and app support staff, according to online profiles. Meanwhile, the platform faces a potential US ban by January due to security, data privacy, and misinformation concerns.
Lawmakers in Washington are alarmed by TikTok’s vast influence on youth, citing concerns that China may exploit the platform to spread misinformation and potentially harvest sensitive user data, including location and browsing history.
Global concerns surrounding TikTok have led governments worldwide to examine the platform closely, resulting in bans on official devices in several countries, including Britain, Australia, France, Taiwan, and the EU.
