Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the decision, emphasizing that it followed a comprehensive review process involving the nation’s security and intelligence agencies.
The Canadian government has mandated TikTok to halt its operations within the country, citing unspecified risks to national security linked to the social media platform and its parent company, ByteDance. While the government has not explicitly banned the app, the directive requires TikTok to “wind up” all its business activities in Canada.
François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the decision, emphasizing that it followed a comprehensive review process involving the nation’s security and intelligence agencies. “The government is taking action to address the specific national security risks related to ByteDance Ltd.’s operations in Canada through the establishment of TikTok Technology Canada, Inc,” he stated.
This action comes after a thorough national security review undertaken by Canadian intelligence, and follows the country’s earlier decision to prohibit TikTok on official government devices. The move also aligns with similar actions in the United States, where lawmakers have expressed concerns about the app’s connections to China, leading to legislation that could potentially ban TikTok in the U.S. TikTok has responded aggressively to the U.S. law, mounting legal challenges.
In response to Canada’s directive, a spokesperson for TikTok expressed the company’s intention to contest the order. The spokesperson asserted, “Shutting down TikTok’s Canadian offices and eliminating 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.”
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