TechCanada expels TikTok over security concerns

Canada expels TikTok over security concerns

Canada does not want TikTok. The government has ordered the company to cease its business operations within the country. Canada's Minister of Innovation and Science has confirmed that the app will not be blocked but is urging citizens to exercise caution.

TikTok
TikTok
Images source: © Pixabay
ed. KLT

8 November 2024 07:26

Canada is open to foreign direct investment, but the government will take strong action if such investments pose a security risk, stated François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation and Science, in an official announcement.

Under the Investment Canada Act, Ottawa can order foreign companies to leave the country if they threaten national security. TikTok Technology Canada Inc., which has offices in Toronto and Vancouver, has been ordered to end its business operations in Canada. At the same time, the minister clarified that "the government is not blocking Canadians' access to the TikTok app or the ability to create content."

Canada says goodbye to TikTok offices

Back in May of this year, the then-director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), David Vigneault, warned against using TikTok and sharing information on it. In November of last year, CSIS representatives informed a parliamentary committee on access to information, privacy, and ethics that terrorists, hostile governments, and groups are using social media to spread disinformation, and children are also becoming their target.

In 2022, Justin Trudeau announced that Canadian intelligence was monitoring TikTok. In February 2024, access to the app was blocked on the official phones of public administration employees.

Minister Champagne has urged citizens to use the platform responsibly and pay particular attention to protecting their own privacy. The government states that the decision to ban TikTok's business operations aims to enhance national security and protect the personal information of Canadians. Previously, countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, and Denmark imposed similar restrictions on TikTok.

Related content
© Daily Wrap
·

Downloading, reproduction, storage, or any other use of content available on this website—regardless of its nature and form of expression (in particular, but not limited to verbal, verbal-musical, musical, audiovisual, audio, textual, graphic, and the data and information contained therein, databases and the data contained therein) and its form (e.g., literary, journalistic, scientific, cartographic, computer programs, visual arts, photographic)—requires prior and explicit consent from Wirtualna Polska Media Spółka Akcyjna, headquartered in Warsaw, the owner of this website, regardless of the method of exploration and the technique used (manual or automated, including the use of machine learning or artificial intelligence programs). The above restriction does not apply solely to facilitate their search by internet search engines and uses within contractual relations or permitted use as specified by applicable law.Detailed information regarding this notice can be found  here.