Following a review of TikTok, Canadian Chief Information Officer banned the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok from all government mobile devices. The reason why Canada banned TikTok is because it presents an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security. The company’s data collection methods create vulnerabilities to cyber attacks.
President Mona Fortier said “The decision to remove and block TikTok from government mobile devices is being taken as a precaution, particularly given concerns about the legal regime that governs the information collected from mobile devices, and is in line with the approach of our international partners.
On a mobile device, TikTok’s data collection methods provide considerable access to the contents of the phone.” But this new policy will have no impact on people’s ability to install the app on their personal devices.
This came just days after New York was forced to deactivate its TikTok account earlier this month. The department said the app was not part of a previously undisclosed list of “approved” social media platforms by the Treasury Board Secretariat. Canada is following the lead of the U.S. government.
TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, raising concerns about data privacy and the Chinese government’s access to user data. The Chinese government’s broad powers to compel companies to hand over data or cooperate in intelligence gathering activities under laws like the National Intelligence Law have led many countries, including Canada, to be cautious about allowing Chinese-owned tech companies access to their citizens’ data. Concerns have been raised that user data collected by TikTok could be accessed or exploited by the Chinese government for intelligence or surveillance purposes, posing a risk to Canadian national security.
There are concerns about the potential for foreign influence and propaganda on social media platforms like TikTok. TikTok’s algorithm-driven content recommendation system has been criticized for amplifying certain types of content and potentially spreading misinformation or propaganda. This could be particularly concerning if foreign actors, including the Chinese government, were able to use TikTok to spread disinformation or manipulate public opinion in Canada on issues of national importance.
Additionally, there have been concerns raised about the potential for TikTok to be used as a tool for espionage or cyberattacks. TikTok collects vast amounts of data on its users, including their location, device information, and browsing history, which could be exploited by malicious actors for cyber espionage or other nefarious purposes. Given Canada’s status as a member of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance with the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, there may be particular concerns about protecting sensitive information from foreign adversaries.
Furthermore, the Canadian government may be responding to pressure from its allies, particularly the United States, which has taken a hard line against Chinese-owned tech companies like TikTok. The Trump administration attempted to ban TikTok in the United States over similar national security concerns, although these efforts were ultimately blocked by court rulings. The Biden administration has continued to scrutinize TikTok’s operations and has taken steps to address some of the concerns raised by the previous administration. Canada may feel pressure to align its policies with those of its closest ally and intelligence partner.
Ultimately, any decision to ban TikTok in Canada would need to weigh the potential risks to national security and data privacy against the benefits of allowing Canadians to access the platform. While TikTok is popular among Canadian users and has provided a platform for creativity and self-expression, these concerns may ultimately outweigh the perceived benefits of allowing the app to operate freely in Canada.