Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — In a significant move on growing global concerns over data privacy, the Canadian government has instructed TikTok to wind down its business operations in the country by the end of 2024. The Canada decision comes amid rising concerns over national security tied to TikTok Chinese ownership, following a year-long review of the social media giant’s Canadian operations.
Office Closure while Access to App Remains
The order reported by Forbes, mandates TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to dismantle its Canadian business by next year. However, in a notable exception, Canadians will still have access to the app itself. This approach aims to address security risks without disrupting the daily experience for millions of Canadian users who engage with the platform.
François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Innovation Minister, emphasized that while the government will not block access to TikTok, it is taking action based on recommendations from national security agencies. “The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners.,” Champagne said during a press briefing.
He also highlighted the importance of cybersecurity awareness, urging Canadians to evaluate the potential risks of using social media platforms, particularly when it comes to data privacy. “It’s crucial for Canadians to adopt good cybersecurity practices and understand how their information may be managed, used, or shared by foreign entities,” Champagne advised. He encouraged citizens to leverage resources from the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security to better assess these risks.
Champagne reiterated that the government is not preventing Canadians from accessing TikTok. “The government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content. The decision to use a social media application or platform is a personal choice,” he clarified.
TikTok Data Security Concerns
The Canada decision revolves around concerns that TikTok could be required to share sensitive user data with Chinese authorities under China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law. This legislation compels Chinese companies to cooperate with intelligence agencies if requested—a mandate that has alarmed several Western governments. TikTok’s extensive data collection, which includes user location, browsing history, and biometric data, is at the center of these fears.
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Canadian authorities worry that such information could be exploited for espionage or other malicious activities if accessed by foreign actors. This concern was a driving factor behind Canada previous ban on TikTok from all government-issued devices, mirroring similar actions taken by the United States and other nations.
TikTok Response
In response, TikTok has vowed to challenge the Canadian government’s order in court. The company argued that the shutdown could result in the loss of hundreds of local jobs and harm Canadian businesses that rely on the platform for marketing and engagement.
“Shutting down TikTok’s Canadian offices and eliminating hundreds of well-paying jobs is a step in the wrong direction. This decision not only impacts our employees but also limits opportunities for creators and businesses. We intend to challenge this order in court,” a TikTok spokesperson said in a statement.
Canada move adds to a growing list of countries reevaluating their stance on TikTok amid mounting concerns over data privacy and security, as the debate over the app’s potential threat to national interests intensifies on the global stage.
(Raidi/Agung)
