Canada Orders Closure of TikTok‘s Canadian Division Over National Security Risks

On the 6th, the Canadian government ordered the closure of the Canadian division of TikTok, a Chinese video sharing service company, citing national security risks.

Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippine Champagne, explained the background of this action as part of “measures to address certain national security risks posed to Canada by ByteDance through the establishment of ‘TikTok Technology Canada Ltd.'”

Minister Champagne stated that this decision was made based on information and evidence collected during the relevant review process and consultation with Canada’s security intelligence authorities and other government agencies.

However, Minister Champagne clarified that the Canadian government is not blocking access to TikTok and the creation of related posts within the country through this measure.

Canada has the authority to assess the possibility that overseas investments pose a potential risk to its national security in accordance with relevant laws. In this regard, it has been reviewing the business expansion plan of ByteDance’s subsidiary TikTok since last year.

Prior to Canada’s move, the U.S. government also enacted a law banning TikTok’s activities in the U.S. in principle last April.

A TikTok spokesperson expressed concerns over the decision, stating that “Closing TikTok’s Canadian offices and eliminating hundreds of good-paying local jobs is not in anyone’s best interest.”

Related News: The U.S. government’s decision to ban TikTok’s activities in the U.S. has sparked a global debate on the national security risks associated with the app.

Key Takeaways:

• Canada orders closure of TikTok’s Canadian division over national security risks.
• Decision made based on information and evidence collected during review process.
• Canadian government not blocking access to TikTok within the country.
• U.S. government also enacted law banning TikTok’s activities in the U.S. last April.