Canada ordered ByteDance to shut down TikTok operations in the country over security concerns

Canada ordered ByteDance to shut down TikTok operations over security concerns but did not issue a full ban on the platform.

The Canadian government ordered ByteDance to wind up TikTok Technology Canada, Inc. over security concerns following a national security review under the Investment Canada Act

Canada’s decision to require ByteDance to dissolve the operations of the popular video-sharing platform was guided by security and intelligence advice. However, the government pointed out that Canadians can still access and use TikTok by choice, the use of a social media platform is a personal choice.

“As a result of a multi-step national security review process, which involves rigorous scrutiny by Canada’s national security and intelligence community, the Government of Canada has ordered the wind up of the Canadian business carried on by TikTok Technology Canada, Inc. 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. The decision was based on the 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.” reads the statement published by Canadian Government.

“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.”

In February 2023, the Canadian government announced the ban on the TikTok app from all government-issued devices over security concerns.

The app “presents an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security,” explained Canada’s chief information officer.

The app developed by the Chinese firm ByteDance has over 1 billion active users worldwide, it has come under close scrutiny in the US and other countries for its alleged link with the Government of Beijing.

The US already warned of the alleged link between the Chinese company and the Communist Party, accusing TikTok of collecting and sharing data for Chinese intelligence.

In February 2023, the European Union banned the popular Chinese video-sharing app TikTok from the mobile devices of its employees over security concerns. 

At the time, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said this move might be a first step to further action or that it might be it.

“This may the first step, this may be the only step we need to take,” Prime Minister at a press conference near Toronto.

TikTok was also under the scrutiny of Canadian privacy regulators that are investigating whether the company obtains valid and meaningful consent from users when collecting their personal information.

“On a mobile device, TikTok’s data collection methods provide considerable access to the contents of the phone,” Mona Fortier, the president of Canada’s Treasury Board, said. “While the risks of using this application are clear, we have no evidence at this point that government information has been compromised.”

Now Canadians are urged to practice strong cybersecurity habits and assess risks on social media, considering data protection and foreign laws. Guidance is available from Canada’s Cyber Centre.

Associated Press reported that Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said it is meant to address risks related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc..

A TikTok spokesperson warned in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will cause the loss of hundreds of local jobs.

“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said. “The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”

In January 2020, the US Army banned the use of the popular TikTok app on mobile phones used by its personnel for security reasons.

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, Canada)