The Canadian government has ordered Chinese social media app TikTok to close its offices in Canada, citing security concerns related to data privacy and potential foreign influence. The decision, announced on Wednesday, mandates the closure of TikTok’s offices in Toronto and Vancouver. However, Canadians are not restricted from using the app on their personal devices, according to a report by CBC News.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration took this step following recommendations from Canada’s security and intelligence community. Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne said that the government’s choice was driven by a national security review that found TikTok’s operations posed serious risks. Champagne refrained from disclosing specific evidence, but he conveyed that the government had reason to believe TikTok’s activities could endanger Canadian interests.
While the government’s official statement leaves the choice of using TikTok to individuals, it also encourages Canadians to remain cautious. Minister Champagne warned users to use the app “with eyes wide open,” noting that the Chinese government might have access to Canadian users’ data. “Obviously, parents and anyone who wants to use social platforms should be mindful of the risk,” he added. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) previously issued warnings that data collected by TikTok could be accessible to the Chinese government, raising privacy and surveillance concerns.
David Vigneault, former director of CSIS, also weighed in, saying the platform’s design made it “very clear” that user data could be accessed by the Chinese authorities. He highlighted that while young users might overlook the significance now, the data they share could be used in the future, even as their personal lives and careers evolve.
This decision falls under the Investment Canada Act, which allows reviews of foreign investments that may threaten national security. TikTok’s Canadian spokesperson responded by criticising the order, calling it a blow to Canadian employment and innovation. The spokesperson confirmed that TikTok would legally challenge the government’s decision, arguing that shutting down offices and eliminating jobs is “not in anyone’s best interest.”
This move follows Canada’s earlier steps in February 2023, when it banned TikTok from all government-issued devices over similar security concerns. The national security review that ensued provided further grounds for the current order. As concerns grow globally over TikTok’s ties to China and data privacy issues, Canada joins a growing list of countries that have implemented restrictions on the app.
