Ottawa is banning the use of the TikTok app on all government-issued mobile devices.

Federal Treasury Board President Mona Fortier cited an “unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security” as determined by the country’s Chief Information Officer.

All federal government devices will be blocked from downloading the app in future.

The move is described as a precautionary one given concerns surrounding the app’s legal regime governing information collected from mobile devices, and whether they are in line with the approach of international partners.

The federal government says TikTok’s data-collection methods provide considerable access to the contents of a mobile device.

Fortier says guidance from the Communications Security Establishment’s Canadian Centre for Cyber Security strongly recommends that Canadians understand the risks and make an informed choice on their own before deciding what tools to use.

The provincial government says it’s reviewing Ottawa’s decision regarding TikTok, adding they’re considering next steps and will provide further information as it becomes available.