Canada Orders TikTok to Shut Down Over Security Concerns

The Canadian government has ordered TikTok, owned by ByteDance, to shut down its Canadian operations, citing national security concerns. However, it has not implemented a full ban on the popular video-sharing app.

The decision, according to François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, was made after reviewing security intelligence and advice from Canada’s security agencies. While the government is not blocking Canadian access to TikTok or restricting content creation, it encourages Canadians to stay vigilant, practice good cybersecurity habits, and consider risks regarding data privacy, especially in relation to foreign entities.

The order was issued under the Investment Canada Act, which permits scrutiny of foreign investments that could threaten Canada’s national security. Although TikTok has been restricted on Canadian government devices since February 2023, this order specifically targets the company’s business operations within Canada. TikTok stated in a response that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will result in the loss of hundreds of jobs and indicated plans to challenge the decision in court.

Concerns about TikTok’s potential ties to the Chinese government have sparked similar actions in the U.S., where a new law mandates ByteDance to either divest TikTok by January 19, 2025, or face a ban. TikTok filed a lawsuit in May seeking to block the U.S. legislation. The app, already banned in countries such as India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Afghanistan, is also restricted on government devices in multiple nations due to data privacy concerns.

TikTok maintains that it does not share data with the Chinese government, but global scrutiny of its operations and data security practices continues to grow.