Citing national security risks, Canada has ordered TikTok to cease operations within the country. This follows a comprehensive review by Canadian intelligence agencies.
While the government hasn’t outright banned the app, TikTok will be forced to wind down all business activities in Canada. This action mirrors earlier steps by the Canadian government to ban TikTok from official devices months after the US passed a similar law, citing national security concerns related to TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance. TikTok is currently challenging the US ban in court.
Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne said in a statement:
The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners.
Just like in the US, TikTok is also challenging Canada’s order. A company spokesperson said:
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. We will challenge this order in court. The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.
While Canada is not forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok to a Canadian company with the threat of a ban, it remains to be seen how well the popular social media app will be able to function in the country with its operations ceased.
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