Canada Orders TikTok to Close All Offices Over National Security Concerns

OTTAWA (November 4, 2024) – Canada has ordered TikTok to close all of its offices in the country due to national security concerns. The decision follows warnings from Canadian authorities about the potential risks posed by the app, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance.

François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Science and Industry, said the closure of TikTok’s offices does not mean the app is banned in Canada. However, he recommended that Canadians reduce their use of TikTok over time for safety reasons.

“Various security agencies have raised concerns about TikTok, which led to the decision to shut down its offices,” Champagne explained.

This move is part of a broader trend of countries questioning TikTok’s ties to China, especially regarding data privacy. The Canadian government had already banned TikTok from official government devices and imposed other restrictions.

In response, TikTok said it plans to challenge the order in court, warning that the closure of its offices would result in the loss of local jobs.