On Wednesday, the Canadian Government ordered the closure of Chinese-owned TikTok’s operations in the country due to national security concerns.
Gatekeepers News reports that this order requires TikTok to shut down its offices located in Toronto and Vancouver.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne stated that while Canadians can continue to use the app, he advised them to take precautions. The decision to implement the ban is linked to risks associated with ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.
“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,” the statement reads in part.
“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.”
Champagne said the dissolution order was in accordance with the Investment Canada Act, which allows for the review of foreign investments that may harm Canada’s national security.
He said the decision was based on information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners.
TikTok, while reacting to the development, said it will challenge the order in court.
“Shutting down TikTok’s Canadian offices and destroying hundreds of well-paying local jobs is not in anyone’s best interest, and today’s shutdown order will do just that,” it said in a blog post.
Canada also banned the TikTok app from government-issued devices, arguing that it presents “an unacceptable risk to privacy and security”.
