Canada orders TikTok to close its business in the country Amid National Security Concerns
- Alex ford
- Nov 9, 2024
- 2 min read
In a move that highlights the growing global scrutiny over TikTok's Chinese ownership, the Canadian government has ordered the dissolution of TikTok Technology Canada Inc., the local subsidiary of the popular video-sharing app.
National Security Review
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the decision on Wednesday, stating that it is meant to address risks related to ByteDance Ltd., the Chinese company that owns TikTok. However, Champagne emphasized that the government is not blocking Canadians' access to the TikTok app or their ability to create content, as the decision to use the platform remains a personal choice.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne
The dissolution order, made under the Investment Canada Act, follows a national security review that examined ByteDance's establishment of the Canadian business. Champagne said the decision was based on information and evidence collected during the review, as well as advice from Canada's security and intelligence community.
The move comes as TikTok faces intensifying scrutiny from both Europe and the United States over security and data privacy concerns. Critics have long feared that Beijing could leverage the app to collect data on Western users or push pro-China narratives and misinformation.
TikTok, which has two offices in Canada – one in Toronto and one in Vancouver – swiftly condemned the government's decision, stating that the shutdown of its Canadian operations would lead to the loss of hundreds of local jobs. The company vowed to challenge the order in court, asserting that the TikTok platform will remain available for creators and businesses.
Global Backlash and Tensions against Tiktok
The Canadian government's action follows its previous ban on the use of TikTok on all government-issued mobile devices. It also comes a day after the election of Donald Trump in the United States, a former president who had sought to ban the app while in office.
The growing global backlash against TikTok underscores the tensions between China and the West over the control of technology. As this tug-of-war continues, the fate of the popular app remains uncertain, with governments around the world grappling with how to address the perceived national security risks it poses
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