Canada orders TikTok to close offices over 'security risks'

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/07/canada-orders-tiktok-to-close-vancouver-office-over-security-risks

Canada orders TikTok to close offices over ‘security risks’

Chinese-owned firm’s operation falls foul of official review, though Canadian users will be able to use video app as usual

Dan Milmo Global technology editor
Thu 7 Nov 2024 08.51 EST

Canada has ordered TikTok to shut down its operations in the country after conducting a security review, but users will not be barred from accessing the video app or uploading content to it.

The Canadian government said it was demanding the winding up of TikTok’s business in the country due to “specific national security risks”. It currently has offices in Vancouver and Toronto.
“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,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s minister of innovation, science and industry.

Champagne added that the government was not blocking citizens’ access to TikTok or their ability to post content on the platform. TikTok has been banned from government-issued phones in Canada, the US, the UK, New Zealand and Australia amid concerns about the Chinese-owned app’s access to user data.

Champagne’s statement did not give details of the security concerns behind the move but referred to risks related to ByteDance, the Beijing-based owner of the app, and its operations in Canada through TikTok Technology Canada.

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