Canada has joined the growing list of countries labeling TikTok a national security threat. However, its approach stands out: The country has banned TikTok Canada’s corporate operations, but has left the app available to users.
What is blocked? According to Reuters, François-Philippe Champagne, minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced, “The government is taking action to address the specific national security risks related to ByteDance Ltd’s operations in Canada through the establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.”
In other words, the country has decided to block TikTok’s Canadian subsidiary, using Canadian law that allows it to block foreign investments that may pose a risk to national security.
Impact on offices and jobs. The decision affects TikTok’s Canadian offices and employees, leaving the app itself untouched.
“Shutting down TikTok’s Canadian offices and destroying hundreds of well-paying local jobs is not in anyone’s best interest, and today’s shutdown order will do just that,” TikTok stated, adding that it plans to challenge the decision in court.
What prompted this action? The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) played a critical role. A recent report warned of the risks posed by China accessing Canadians’ data, particularly information from young users.
“TikTok is available to the government of China,” CSIS Director David Vigneault told CBC. He warned that even seemingly harmless data could be exploited for future manipulation.
The catch: Users can still access TikTok. Canada’s ban is unusual in that it targets TikTok’s corporate presence rather than the app’s availability. While discouraging its use, the government has left the decision to individuals.
This is possible because TikTok access is managed directly by ByteDance. By focusing on TikTok Canada’s operations, the government avoids outright banning the app, a move users could circumvent.
Global scrutiny of TikTok. Canada’s approach contrasts with the measures taken by other countries.
India has implemented a complete ban. The U.S. passed a law to prohibit TikTok unless ByteDance divests ownership, although enforcement is pending until mid-January. Europe is closely monitoring the app under the Digital Markets Act. In recent months, the European Court of Justice ruled that TikTok could be classified as a “gatekeeper,” striking down the company’s petition to avoid the designation.
A distinct approach. Canada’s solution balances national security concerns with user freedom. By blocking TikTok’s corporate operations without banning the app, the government takes a less disruptive route.
Whether this approach proves effective remains to be seen. However, it provides an alternative to outright bans that could be bypassed with VPNs, offering a model for other nations grappling with the issue.
Image | Nik (Unsplash) | Hermes Rivera (Unsplash)
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