Canada closes TikTok office in the country due to “national security risk”

The Canadian government has ordered TikTok to cease operations in the country due to “national security risks” related to the company and its parent company, ByteDance. This decision is part of growing international concern about the video-sharing app, especially regarding data protection and China’s influence.

With the order, TikTok must “close” all commercial activities in Canada, which means closing offices in the country. However, so far, the government has decided that it will not ban the application for users.

Also read:

Meta, TikTok and Kwai are sued in Brazil for failing to protect the mental health of children and adolescents
TikTok will provide information about films and series shown in posts

Canada’s decision cites national security measures

According to Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne, the government made this decision after a detailed analysis of the risks to national security.

Champagne said the decision was based on information and evidence collected throughout the review, as well as recommendations from the Canadian intelligence and security communities. Canada’s decision regarding TikTok comes after a “multi-step national security review process” carried out by the country’s intelligence agencies.

It is worth remembering that, in the past, Canada had already taken action against TikTok, banning the application from official government devices. Now, the country is following the example of the United States, where a recently passed law also threatens to ban the app because of similar security concerns and the platform’s ties to China.

TikTok’s response and possible legal battle

In response to the order, TikTok stated that it will contest the Canadian decision. On its official website, the company made a post with an official opinion, showing concern about the impact that the closure of operations in Canada would have on local jobs, stating that this decision will destroy hundreds of well-paid jobs.

They also highlighted the importance of TikTok for content creators and companies in the country. “We will challenge this order in court,” says the note. “The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”

Canada’s decision raises questions about the future of the application in other countries that are also discussing a possible ban, such as the United States. In the US, TikTok has already begun a legal defense against legislation that could ban it, while lawmakers argue that the app poses a threat to national security due to its potential to share data with the Chinese government.

For Canadian users, the future of TikTok is still uncertain. Although the government avoided directly banning the application, the closure order could end up bringing restrictions or limitations on the continuity of the platform’s services in Canada.

Fonte: engadget, tiktok