Photo Credit: Berkay Gumustekin
TikTok says it will challenge Canada’s national security ban of the app in court, but users shouldn’t have anything to worry about yet.
The Canadian government announced on Wednesday that it is banning TikTok’s operations in the country following a rigorous national security review under the Investment Canada Act. But TikTok says it will challenge the decision 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,” reads a statement from TikTok. “We will challenge this order in court. The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests, and for businesses to thrive.”
Many Canadian users of the short-form video app have worried they would be barred from using the platform, but there is currently no reason to worry. The ban mostly affects TikTok employees in Toronto and Vancouver, and does not remove or block the app from Google Play or Apple’s App store in Canada.
According to TikTok’s Canadian newsroom, hundreds of TikTok employees work at the company’s Toronto and Vancouver offices. “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 Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne.
“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 and other government partners.”
Moreover, Champagne clarified this wouldn’t affect the average TikTok user and their access to the app. But the government doesn’t recommend using the platform at all.
“The decision to use a social media application or platform is a personal choice. It is important for Canadians to adopt good cyber security practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used, and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply,” said Champagne.
Notably, TikTok doesn’t offer a creator fund in Canada, and many influencers have resorted to using US-based accounts in order to make money on the platform. The government’s move could therefore affect further opportunities for creators to earn funds through TikTok.