Canada led TikTok to close its Canadian offices, citing national security risks linked to its Chinese owner, ByteDance, according to Minister of Innovation François-Philippe Champagne.

Canadians can still access the app, although TikTok plans to challenge the shutdown order in court.

The context

Concerns over TikTok’s ties to China have sparked global scrutiny, with several countries banning the video-sharing app altogether or limiting its use on government devices. Canada’s recent decision to close TikTok offices in Toronto and Vancouver marks a more intense response, aligning with the broader trend of evaluating foreign technology investments for national security threats.

Meanwhile, TikTok faces a possible ban in the United States in January 2025 if it does not divest from its parent company, ByteDance.

Is TikTok banned in Canada?

No, TikTok is not banned in Canada. The Canadian government has ordered TikTok’s offices in Toronto and Vancouver to close due to security concerns related to ByteDance’s ownership.

The decision was made following certain information revealed following a national security review, the minister said.

“We have come to the conclusion that these activities carried out in Canada by TikTok and their offices would undermine national security,” Champagne told CBC News.

“I’m not at liberty to go into detail, but I know Canadians would understand that when you say the Government of Canada is taking steps to protect national security, it’s serious,” he said. .

However, this measure does not prevent Canadians from using or downloading the application.

Champagne said Canadians can still choose to access TikTok, but should be aware of the potential risks. This approach appears to avoid a total ban on the platform while addressing security concerns through policies rather than restrictions.

News week contacted Canadian Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne by email for comment outside of normal working hours.

TikTok reacts to Canada’s shutdown

TikTok criticized Canada’s decision, highlighting the impact on local jobs and suggesting the order is excessive. The company announced plans to legally challenge the order, saying dismantling its operations could harm hundreds of jobs.

A TikTok spokesperson said News week that “closing TikTok’s Canadian offices and destroying hundreds of good-paying local jobs is in no one’s best interest, and today’s shutdown order will do just that.”

“We will challenge this order in court. The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive,” the spokesperson said.

TikTok has made no immediate changes to its Canadian users’ access to the app, saying it will continue to operate as usual while pursuing legal avenues.

Is TikTok banned in the US?

The United States is closer than ever to a possible outright ban on TikTok. A recent law requires ByteDance to divest its US operations by January 19, 2025, or face a ban.

Lawmakers cite national security concerns, arguing that ByteDance’s ties to China could compromise user data and allow the Chinese government to exert undue influence. The outcome of a federal court case could delay or ultimately decide TikTok’s fate, but for now, the app’s future in the United States remains uncertain.

In September, TikTok went to federal court to challenge the ban with ByteDance attorney Andrew Pincus making arguments around free speech and First Amendment rights.

He told the court at the time: “The idea that a foreign adversary is going to propagate ideas on political and social issues, which is exactly what the government says in its brief, has never been in our history a basis for suppressing freedom of expression in the country. this country, even foreign governments, not to mention American speakers who speak on their own terms to other Americans. »

The lack of legal precedent adds to the uncertainty surrounding the impending ban. “No one really knows how this is going to happen,” said legal expert Abigail Rekas. News week at the time.

Meanwhile, TikTok has been sued by 13 states and the District of Columbia in a joint lawsuit filed in October that accused the app of making its platform addictive among young people, which had a negative impact on young people’s mental health.

What Donald Trump said about banning TikTok

President-elect Donald Trumpwho previously advocated for banning TikTok in 2020, recently softened his stance, suggesting he would support saving TikTok if re-elected.

In a September campaign video, Trump said that “for everyone who wants to save TikTok in America, vote for Trump.” This contrasts with the executive order he tried to pass in 2020 to ban the app, which was later blocked by the courts.

During an interview on October 15 with Bloomberg News, he first said he “everything had been done” in terms of banning the app, but ultimately left the decision to Congress. Trump referenced what he saw as the “real First Amendment problems” associated with banning the app.

His move came after a March meeting with ByteDance investor Jeff Yass, who has a $33 million stake in the short-form video app. Although Trump has not explicitly committed to lifting the ban, his stance contrasts with that of the Biden administration, which remains firm on limiting Chinese ownership of TikTok. The app’s deadline to divest from its parent company is one day before Trump’s inauguration for his second term.