The Liberals have mandated the shutdown of TikTok’s Canadian offices, citing national security risks.
While Canadians may continue using the app, the shutdown impacts TikTok Technology Canada, Inc., the Canadian subsidiary of ByteDance, a Beijing-based tech giant under scrutiny globally for its data-sharing practices.
Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry François-Philippe Champagne said that the decision follows a national security review process in a press release issued by the Liberals on Wednesday. He said that the decision was made per the Investment Canada Act, which allows foreign investments to be reviewed if they pose a risk to Canada’s national security.
“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.,” said Champagne. “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.”
Reports had surfaced calling for Canada to ban TikTok.
For example, a report from the Macdonald-Laurier Institute called TikTok “a trojan horse,” highlighting that the app was collecting data from a more invasive perspective than other social media platforms like collecting users’ SIM card information. The report also found that TikTok censored stories that did not align with the People’s Republic of China’s narrative.
Despite the order to cease TikTok’s operations within Canada, the government has clarified that it is not blocking Canadians from using or accessing the app.
“The decision to use a social media application or platform is a personal choice. 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,” said Champagne.
He added that the Liberals will encourage foreign investment but act directly if any investments threaten national security.
The elected officials previously described as “wittingly” assisting foreign state actors have still not been named. Poilievre said that if he is elected, he will release the names.
The Liberals banned TikTok from government devices back in Feb. 2023, citing unacceptable risks to privacy and security.
“TikTok’s data collection methods provide considerable access to the contents of the phone,” said Liberal MP Mona Fortier. “The decision to remove and block TikTok […] is being taken as a precaution.”
The Ontario government quickly followed suit, banning its members from using the application on government devices.
Despite the investigation and warnings, the NDP had previously reactivated its TikTok account.
The Liberal Party of Canada does not have an official TikTok account.
Two years ago, the U.S. government banned TikTok from government phones, warning that users’ browsing history, location, and biometric identifiers could potentially be shared with the Chinese government—a claim denied by the company.
Last year, the European Union fined TikTok $368 million, citing its failure to protect children’s privacy. Concerns about the app’s addictive qualities have also led to legal action in the U.S. from a bipartisan group of state attorneys general.
More recently, U.S. President Joe Biden signed legislation stipulating that TikTok would be banned in the U.S. unless sold within a year. The company is currently challenging this action.
