Ottawa Orders Canadian TikTok Offices to Close, App Still Available

The Canadian government has ordered the Chinese social media app TikTok to close up its Canadian offices over national security concerns although it hasn’t banned the app for users.
“As a result of a multi-step national security review process, which involves rigorous scrutiny by Canada’s national security and intelligence community, the Government of Canada has ordered the wind up of the Canadian business carried on by TikTok Technology Canada, Inc.,” Champagne said.
He said the government was taking action over “specific national security risks” related to TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance Ltd.
“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” the minister said.
Ottawa stopped short of banning the TikTok app, saying it was a personal decision for Canadians to make.
“It is important for Canadians to adopt good cyber security practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply,” Champagne said.
The company says it will also launch a legal challenge against the latest Canadian order.
“Shutting down TikTok’s Canadian offices and destroying hundreds of well-paying local jobs is not in anyone’s best interest, and today’s shutdown order will do just that,” the company said in a media statement.
FBI Director Christopher Wray has said the app poses a national security concern.
The boards, which include the Toronto District School Board, the Peel District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board, and the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, are suing for more than $4 billion.
A coalition of 14 U.S. attorney generals filed the lawsuit in early October.