TikTok is in danger of being banned in Canada
The Canadian government considers the Chinese app is a threat to national security and intends to ban its use.
Governments around the world are increasingly refusing to use the Chinese app because of algorithms that can use users' personal data. The Canadian government is also concerned that TikTok could be used to spread misinformation, manipulate Canadians' minds and worldviews, and can be used for espionage.
TikTok has already been abandoned by some countries, while others are constantly challenging the security of the app. For example:
- there is an ongoing debate in the U.S. about shutting down TikTok, with investigations and proposed bills to ban it altogether. More and more states are banning the app on the computers and mobile devices where government data may be stored;
- Britain shut down the parliamentary TikTok account for security reasons;
- The country's Irish Data Protection Commission conducted its own investigation and sent the results to EU members, according to which TikTok will be fined;
- In India, the app has been blocked since 2020 because of military conflict.
Justin Trudeau said that the espionage and digital security agency is closely monitoring the situation. And if any suspicion of misuse of Canadians' data is discovered, TikTok will be banned immediately.
The government supported the prime-minister and said it would study the issue more closely.
TikTok representatives sent a statement saying, "We continue to have a constructive relationship with the Canadian government and are working with various agencies to demonstrate the security and privacy of Canadian users."
Nevertheless, conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong calls for a thorough vetting and banning of the app in Canada.
