Canada forces TikTok out of the country

The Canadian government has ordered TikTok’s Canadian operations to shut down due to national security concerns. This decision requires TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to close its offices in Toronto and Vancouver. However, Canadians can still use the TikTok app, as the order does not restrict access to the platform itself.

Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the order following a national security review. The review, conducted under the Investment Canada Act, identified ByteDance’s presence as a security risk. “The government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content. The decision to use a social media application or platform is a personal choice,” Champagne stated.

Canada’s action reflects rising concerns about ByteDance’s ties to the Chinese government. Authorities worry that these connections could lead to user data being accessed by Chinese authorities, sparking fears over privacy and national security.

TikTok plans to contest ban in court

TikTok responded by announcing plans to challenge the Canadian government’s order. A TikTok spokesperson said the shutdown will mean “the loss of hundreds of local jobs.” They confirmed the platform will stay available for Canadian users, allowing creators to find audiences and businesses to thrive. “We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson added.

Canada’s move mirrors actions in the United States, where national security concerns have also targeted TikTok. Former President Donald Trump attempted to ban the app, but the courts blocked the order. More recently, President Joe Biden signed legislation demanding ByteDance sell TikTok to a U.S.-based company or face a potential ban. This legislation is still under legal review.

While TikTok previously faced a ban on Canadian government-issued mobile devices, this new order escalates the action by targeting ByteDance’s operations (Image credit)

In Europe, similar concerns over data privacy and security have prompted governments to reconsider their policies on TikTok and other Chinese-owned technology firms.

Michael Geist, an internet law expert at the University of Ottawa, noted that banning the company without restricting the app might reduce accountability. He stated, “The risks associated with the app will remain, but the ability to hold the company accountable will be weakened.”

Canada’s decision also comes as the country rolls out new digital policies, such as the Online Streaming Act and the Online Harms Act, which could impact TikTok’s presence and obligations in Canada. With ByteDance out of Canada, the enforcement of these policies could become challenging.

TikTok maintains it does not share data with the Chinese government. Despite these assurances, critics argue that TikTok’s Chinese ownership alone presents risks. Ron Deibert, a researcher at Citizen Lab, has stated that TikTok reflects the broader problem of invasive data collection by social media apps. He suggests that comprehensive privacy legislation is needed to address these issues fully.

While TikTok previously faced a ban on Canadian government-issued mobile devices, this new order escalates the action by targeting ByteDance’s operations. The platform remains accessible, yet ByteDance’s ability to operate in Canada is now restricted.

Featured image credit: Kerem Gülen/Ideogram