The company that operates the popular video-sharing app TikTok has been told to shut down its two Canadian offices, but users are still able to use the platform.
Federal Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says the federal government is not banning the popular app, but is ordering ByteDance to shut down its offices in Toronto and Vancouver.
Ottawa is citing “specific national security risks” identified through evidence collected as part of a review being conducted under the Investment Canada Act.
The latest development comes after Ottawa banned all government employees from having the app on government-issued phones and devices. The provincial government also followed suit due to concerns surrounding the information collected by the company’s Chinese owner.
(Kevin Andrews/file)
Local tech blogger Kevin Andrews says while Canadians are still able to access and use the app, they are being advised to proceed with caution.
“Government is signalling that although TikTok is a personal choice, users should be mindful of all the potential privacy concerns. So, we still have the green light to keep dancing, but just keep an eye for those spies in the background.”
