The Canadian government has taken a stand against the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok, citing concerns about its potential risks to privacy and security. The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat issued a statement on Monday announcing that the app would be blocked from government-issued devices, as well as prohibiting federal employees from downloading it in the future.
The move follows a similar ban imposed by the European Commission, and further highlights the growing opposition to the app due to its ties to the Chinese government and its access to user data worldwide. In response to the decision, TikTok expressed its disappointment, noting that it had not been contacted prior to the decision being made.
In addition to the ban, Canada’s federal and provincial privacy regulators are conducting a joint investigation into the app’s collection, use, and disclosure of personal information. The Treasury Board statement also encouraged Canadians to make an informed choice before deciding which tools to use.
The decision is yet another example of the strained relations between Canada and China, with Ottawa accusing Beijing of attempting to influence its elections and conducting air and maritime surveillance activities. Beijing has denied these allegations and called on Canada to stop what it has described as unwarranted speculation and smearing.
Overall, the Canadian government’s decision to block TikTok from government-issued devices and prohibit federal employees from downloading it in the future is an indication of the growing pressure against the app due to its links to China and its access to user data worldwide. This move is likely to further worsen the already tense relationship between Canada and China.