Canada orders TikTok's Canadian business to be dissolved but won't block app

Date:

Share post:


TORONTO — Canada announced Wednesday it is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media app but said it won’t block access.

Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said it is meant to address risks related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.

“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,” Champagne said.

Champagne said it is important for Canadians to adopt good cybersecurity practices, including protecting their personal information.

He said the dissolution order was made in accordance with the Investment Canada Act, which allows for the review of foreign investments that may harm Canada’s national security.

A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of local jobs.

“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said. “The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”

TikTok is wildly popular with young people, but its Chinese ownership has raised fears that Beijing could use it to collect data on Western users or push pro-China narratives and misinformation. TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company that moved its headquarters to Singapore in 2020.

TikTok faces intensifying scrutiny from Europe and America over security and data privacy. It comes as China and the West are locked in a wider tug of war over technology ranging from spy balloons to computer chips.

Canada previously banned TikTok from all government-issued mobile devices, reflecting widening worries from Western officials over the video sharing app.



Source link

Lisa Holden
Lisa Holden
Lisa Holden is a news writer for LinkDaddy News. She writes health, sport, tech, and more. Some of her favorite topics include the latest trends in fitness and wellness, the best ways to use technology to improve your life, and the latest developments in medical research.

Recent posts

Related articles

Canada's Trudeau to cut sales tax and send checks to millions of Canadians as election looms

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 's government announced plans Thursday to temporarily lift...

Cutting in line? American Airlines' new boarding tech might stop you at now over 100 airports

NEW YORK -- Sneaking a little ahead of line to get on that plane faster? American Airlines...

Canada's Irving Tissue plans a $600 million factory expansion in Georgia, hiring 100 more workers

MACON, Ga. -- A Canadian company announced Thursday that it will spend $600 million to expand its...

India's Modi seeks energy security from Guyana and its vast oil deposits

GEORGETOWN, Guyana -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday during a visit to Guyana that his...

Bank makes hundreds of millions in loans available to assist Helene recovery in North Carolina

Truist Financial Corporation has announced that it is making hundreds of millions of dollars in loans available...

How major US stock indexes fared Thursday, 11/21/2024

U.S. stocks climbed after market superstar Nvidia and another round of companies said they’re making even fatter...

Airline CEOs and Transportation Secretary Buttigieg fight over regulations even after election

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg snapped back Thursday at criticism from airline executives who say the Biden administration...

Penn State wins trademark case over retailer's use of vintage logos, images

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- Penn State has won a closely watched trademark fight over an online retailer's use...