In a move to address national security concerns, Canada has ordered the dissolution of TikTok’s business operations in the country, targeting the platform’s parent company, ByteDance Ltd., due to potential security risks tied to its Chinese ownership. However, the government clarified it is not restricting Canadians’ access to TikTok itself or their ability to create content on the platform.
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced that the decision aligns with the Investment Canada Act, which allows reviews of foreign investments posing potential security threats. He cited the importance of Canadians adopting strong cybersecurity practices to protect their personal data. The decision followed an assessment by Canadian security agencies and intelligence bodies, which provided evidence over the review period that led to this unprecedented measure.
TikTok responded to the decision with a statement expressing its intent to challenge the dissolution order in court, stating, “The shutdown of TikTok’s Canadian offices will result in the loss of hundreds of local jobs.” The company also confirmed that the TikTok platform will remain available for Canadian users, allowing creators and businesses to continue engaging with audiences.
This latest action by Canada reflects a broader international scrutiny of TikTok, as Western nations express growing concerns over data privacy and the possibility of Beijing accessing or manipulating user information. ByteDance, which relocated its headquarters to Singapore in 2020, faces similar pressures in Europe and the United States. Canada had previously banned TikTok from all government-issued devices, with similar bans in place in other countries as tensions over technology and data security between China and the West continue to escalate.
Experts, however, have voiced reservations about Canada’s approach. Michael Geist, a Canada Research Chair in internet and e-commerce law at the University of Ottawa, argued that banning ByteDance’s business, rather than directly blocking the app, may limit the government’s ability to enforce accountability while leaving security concerns unresolved. “The risks associated with the app will remain, but the ability to hold the company accountable will be weakened,” Geist wrote in a blog post.
This action comes as TikTok faces scrutiny from the United States, where bipartisan concerns about data security have led to potential legislation that would require ByteDance to divest TikTok to a U.S.-based company or face a nationwide ban. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who sought a similar ban during his tenure, recently joined the app, which has approximately 170 million American users. Both the FBI and the Federal Communications Commission have warned that ByteDance could be pressured by Beijing to share sensitive user data, a claim TikTok has repeatedly denied.
As Canada moves forward with its order, the future of TikTok’s Canadian operations remains uncertain, amid an escalating tug-of-war between China and Western nations over control of digital platforms and the security of their citizens’ data.
