In a dramatic move that underscores growing global concerns over TikTok’s handling of user data, the Canadian government has ordered the social media giant to wind down its business operations in the country by the end of 2024.
The decision, announced on Nov. 7, is based on national security concerns tied to TikTok’s Chinese ownership and follows a year-long review of the app’s Canadian operations.
The order mandates ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to dissolve its Canadian business operations by the end of next year. However, in a notable exception, Canadians will still be able to access the app itself.
This approach reflects a balance between addressing national security risks and avoiding immediate disruption for millions of Canadians who use the platform daily.
Canada’s innovation minister, François-Philippe Champagne, emphasized that while the government is not blocking access to TikTok, it is acting on advice from national security agencies regarding risks associated with ByteDance’s operations in Canada, stating, “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.”
Concerning citizen education and awareness, Champagne states, “It is important for Canadians to adopt good cyber security practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply,” and urges Canadians to take advantage of the guidance provided by the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security in assessing these risks.
Champagne further emphasized that the government is not preventing access to the immensely popular social media app. “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.”
