Canadian government has announced the termination of Tiktok Technology Canada operations associated with Chinese company ByTedance Ltd. in the country, citing national security concerns after extensive special services and intelligence inspections.
While Canadians are not prevented from accessing the Tiktok application and creating content on it, the government emphasizes that the choice of social network or platform for personal use remains at the discretion of the users. It is advised that users understand the processing of personal data and relevant laws. The Canadian cybersecurity center has provided tips for users to review.
The decision to terminate Tiktok operations in Canada falls under the International Investment Law, which allows scrutiny of foreign investments for potential national security risks, with particular focus on sectors listed in March 2024, including interactive digital media.
Tiktok has responded to Canada’s decision, expressing disappointment at the closure of Canadian offices and loss of jobs. The platform intends to challenge the decision in court.
Earlier in March, a group of congressmen in the United States proposed a bill to compel Chinese technology giant BYTEDANCE, the owner of Tiktok, to sell the app to a non-Chinese entity or face its shutdown in the U.S.
China’s authorities have criticized this pressure on Tiktok, stating a preference for a ban on the app in the U.S. instead of selling its American business. There are reports of Tiktok preparing a lawsuit against the U.S. in defense of application freedom.
In July, the U.S. Department of Justice accused Tiktok of sharing American users’ personal information with China and enabling profiling on sensitive topics.