On November 6, 2024, the Canadian government ordered ByteDance-owned TikTok to shut down its operations within the country, citing national security concerns. This directive follows a detailed review of the company’s activities, informed by advice from Canada’s security and intelligence agencies. François-Philippe Champagne, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, emphasized that the decision was made after carefully evaluating potential risks to national security posed by TikTok’s data-handling practices. The government, however, stopped short of banning Canadians’ access to the app or restricting content creation, acknowledging that using the platform remains a personal choice for individuals.
While TikTok’s app remains accessible to Canadian citizens, the government has urged Canadians to exercise caution when using social media platforms. They have specifically highlighted concerns around how personal data is collected, managed, and potentially shared with foreign governments, particularly those with national security interests. The Canadian government also underscored the importance of cybersecurity practices to mitigate any risks associated with data security and privacy.
This action aligns with Canada’s broader approach to addressing foreign influence in digital platforms. The country has already taken steps to limit TikTok’s access to government devices, which were banned from using the app as of February 2023. By ordering the company to wind down its operations in Canada, the government is using the powers granted by the Investment Canada Act, which allows for the review of foreign investments that may threaten national security.
In response to the government’s directive, TikTok expressed its intention to challenge the order in court, citing the potential loss of hundreds of local jobs as a result of the shutdown. The company has maintained that it does not share user data with the Chinese government, despite ongoing concerns, particularly in the U.S., over the possibility that Beijing could access TikTok’s data. As the global scrutiny on TikTok intensifies, other countries, including India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, have already blocked or restricted access to the app due to similar concerns.
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