The Canadian government ordered TikTok to dissolve its business operations in the country Wednesday, citing national security risks but it also said that Canadian users can still access and create content on the platform.
Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne announced the decision following a security review of ByteDance Ltd’s Canadian operations through TikTok Technology Canada Inc. The assessment, conducted under Canadian law permitting national security evaluations of foreign investments, was based on evidence from Canada’s security and intelligence community.
The move follows Canada’s earlier ban of TikTok on government-issued devices due to privacy and security concerns. The decision aligns with similar actions in other countries, including the United States, where President Biden signed legislation in April requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok by January 19, 2025, or face a ban.
TikTok has responded strongly to the Canadian order, announcing plans for a legal challenge. The company argues that dissolving its Canadian operations will eliminate hundreds of well-paying local jobs without serving anyone’s interests. A spokesperson confirmed that despite the business shutdown, the platform will remain accessible to Canadian creators and businesses.
The specific details of the security concerns remain undisclosed, as Canadian law restricts the government from revealing information about foreign investment reviews.
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