Canada has issued a directive to TikTok, requiring the popular social media platform to terminate all business operations within Canadian borders. The government’s decision, which identifies ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, as a “national security threat,” highlights rising concerns over potential risks posed by foreign owned tech companies.
Canadian Minister of Science and Industry Francois Philippe Champagne explained that ByteDance’s activities could endanger national security. He stated that the decision was made following evidence and information compiled with the collaboration of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners.
Notably, this directive does not affect the general use of the TikTok app within Canada but is focused exclusively on the company’s business activities. Earlier, Canada had restricted TikTok’s use on government-issued devices. Similarly, the United States passed legislation a few months ago requiring TikTok to either sell its U.S. operations to a domestic company or face an outright ban, also citing security risks.
In response, TikTok’s company spokesperson announced the company’s intention to contest Canada’s directive in court, arguing that closing offices and eliminating local jobs would be detrimental to all parties involved.
