The Canadian government has ordered TikTok to shut down its Canadian operations due to national security risks tied to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance Ltd.
The decision, announced by industry minister François-Philippe Champagne, involves closing TikTok Technology Canada Inc’s offices in Toronto and Vancouver.
Following a national security review, the order does not block Canadians from accessing TikTok or creating content but Champagne urged Canadians to be mindful of cybersecurity risks and how their data is used on social media platforms.
“We encourage Canadians to adopt good cybersecurity practices,” Champagne said, noting that the government’s decision was based on advice from Canada’s security and intelligence agencies.
TikTok responded by stating it would challenge the order in court and expressing concern over the loss of hundreds of local jobs. The company emphasized that the app would remain available for users.
The review, conducted under the Investment Canada Act, was initiated in September 2023 due to TikTok’s Canadian expansion. Critics have raised concerns over the lack of transparency in the investigation, urging the government to disclose more details about its findings.
This move adds to growing international scrutiny of TikTok, especially regarding data privacy and its connections to China. President Joe Biden signed a bill in April requiring ByteDance, the Chinese company behind TikTok, to sell the app within a year. Attorneys for TikTok and creators challenging the law argued before the DC Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this month, claiming the bill, which requires ByteDance to divest from TikTok by January 19, is effectively a ban.
They argue it would restrict the speech of TikTok and its creators, limiting the information accessible to Americans.