The Canadian government has ordered Chinese social media app TikTok to close its offices in Canada, citing security concerns over data privacy and potential foreign influence. The decision, announced Wednesday, requires the closure of TikTok’s offices in Toronto and Vancouver. However, Canadians are not blocked from using the app on their personal devices, according to a CBC News report.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration took this action following recommendations from Canada’s security and intelligence community. Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the government’s choice was driven by a national security review that found TikTok’s operations posed serious risks. Champagne stopped short of disclosing specific evidence, but he said the government had reason to believe TikTok’s activities could endanger Canadian interests.

Warning against use

While the government’s official statement leaves the choice of using TikTok up to individuals, it also encourages Canadians to remain cautious. Minister Champagne warned users to use the app “with their eyes wide open,” noting that the Chinese government could have access to Canadian users’ data. “Clearly, parents and anyone who wants to use social platforms need to be aware of the risks,” he added. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has previously issued warnings that data collected by TikTok could be accessible to the Chinese government, raising privacy and surveillance concerns.

David Vigneault, former director of CSIS, also weighed in, saying the platform’s design made it “very clear” that user data could be accessed by Chinese authorities. He pointed out that while younger users may overlook its importance today, the data they share could be used in the future, even as their personal lives and careers evolve.

How did TikTok react?

This decision falls under the Investment Canada Act, which allows for the review of foreign investments that could threaten national security. TikTok’s Canadian spokesperson responded by criticizing the order, calling it a blow to jobs and innovation in Canada. The spokesperson confirmed that TikTok would legally challenge the government’s decision, arguing that office closures and job cuts were “not in anyone’s best interests”.

The move follows Canada’s earlier moves in February 2023, when it banned TikTok from all government-issued devices over similar security concerns. The subsequent national security review provided additional grounds for the current order. As concerns grow globally over TikTok’s ties to China and data privacy concerns, Canada joins a growing list of countries that have implemented restrictions on the app.