Canada Orders TikTok To Close Offices In The Country

Canada has ordered TikTok to shut down its operations in the country. Justin Trudeau-led Canadian administration made this decision citing national security risks. However, the government will not block Canadians' access to the short-video app or their ability to create content.

"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," said François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s minister of innovation, science and industry. The minister also said that 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.

Meanwhile, Canadian government did not specify the security concerns behind the move but referred to risks related to ByteDance, the Beijing-based owner of TikTok. The platform responded to Canada's move and said that it will challenge this order in court. "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," said TikTok in a statement. In 2023, Canada banned TikTok from government-issued mobile devices. But the platform has remained one of the most popular in the country.