The Canadian government has ordered TikTok to end its business operations in Canada following a national security assessment. While Canadians will still be able to access the app, TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance Ltd., is prohibited from conducting business within the country.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the decision, explaining it was based on security insights and recommendations from Canada’s intelligence community. He emphasized that the move aims to address risks associated with ByteDance’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.
Though the app will remain accessible, the government urges Canadians to take cybersecurity precautions and consider potential risks linked to using social media platforms. In response, a TikTok spokesperson acknowledged the impact on Canadian jobs and confirmed plans to challenge the order in court.
The issue surrounding TikTok is not unique to Canada. In the United States, a bill passed by the House of Representatives in March 2024 could lead to a TikTok ban unless ByteDance divests its ownership by January 2025. While former President Trump supported banning TikTok in 2020, he recently indicated a shift in stance, expressing support for the platform.
TikTok has already been banned on federal devices in the U.S. since 2020, and Canada implemented a similar ban for government devices in early 2023 due to security concerns.
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