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TRUDEAU GOVERNMENT BANS TIKTOK

Immigration law

05 Feb

Citing national security concerns, the federal government has directed TikTok to close its two Canadian offices in Toronto and Vancouver, though users will still be able to access the app. Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne explained that the decision was based on information uncovered during a national security review, as well as guidance from Canada's security and intelligence agencies.

Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne told CBC News that the activities conducted by TikTok in its Canadian offices could pose a threat to national security," While he could not provide further details, he emphasized that Canadians would understand the seriousness of the government's actions to safeguard national security.

The statement clarified that the government is not preventing Canadians from accessing the app or creating content, noting that the decision to use a social media platform remains a personal choice.

Philippe Champagne urged Canadians to use TikTok "with eyes wide open," acknowledging the concerns raised by critics who warn that the Chinese government could potentially access users' data. "Look, if you're going to dance to the latest trend or watch funny cat videos, just be mindful of the risks,".  He further added that parents and anyone hopping on the TikTok train should stay aware of what they're sharing online.

"Canadians should follow good cybersecurity practices and think about the risks of using social media and apps. This includes knowing how their personal information is protected, used, and shared by foreign companies, and understanding which country's laws apply," Champagne said in his statement.

The decision was made under the Investment Canada Act, which permits the review of foreign investments that could pose a threat to Canada's national security.

U.S. lawmakers have said that TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, is basically controlled by the Chinese government. They worry that China could use its laws to force ByteDance to share TikTok user data for security purposes, which raises concerns about the safety of that information.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has issued a warning to Canadians—yes, even teenagers—to think twice before scrolling through TikTok. Apparently, it's not just your parents who think you should be more careful with your screen time.

In February 2023, the Canadian government banned TikTok from all government devices, and later launched a national security review of the app. The statement issued on Wednesday was the outcome of that review, which Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne described as involving "rigorous scrutiny by Canada’s national security and intelligence agencies."

TikTok has consistently argued that its servers are located outside of China, beyond the reach of the Chinese Communist Party, and that it complies with Canadian data protection and privacy laws.

Philippe Champagne said in a statement that "Canadians must adopt strong cybersecurity practices and evaluate the potential risks of using social media platforms and apps. This includes understanding how their personal information may be protected, managed, used, and shared by foreign entities, as well as being aware of the applicable laws in different countries,"

Shutting down TikTok’s Canadian offices and eliminating hundreds of good local jobs is not beneficial for anyone, and today’s order will lead to just that.