Trudeau government bans TikTok’s operations in Canada over 'national security concerns'

The Trudeau government has ordered TikTok to close its Canadian operations in Toronto and Vancouver because of “national security concerns”—even though people will still be able to use the social media app, CBC News reported Tuesday.

Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said he couldn’t elaborate on the decision, only that it was based on information that came to light during a national security review that suggested TikTok could be working against Canada’s best interests.

"We came to the conclusion that these activities that were conducted in Canada by TikTok and their offices would be injurious to national security," Champagne told CBC News.

"I'm not at liberty to go into much detail, but I know Canadians would understand when you're saying the government of Canada is taking measures to protect national security, that's serious."

The government emphasized that it will not take steps to block the app in Canada or interfere with Canadians who choose to use TikTok for casual communication or posting documents. "The decision to use a social media application or platform is a personal choice," the statement said.

But Champagne somewhat ambiguously suggested that those using TikTok should do so "with eyes wide open,” apparently a veiled reference to communist China having access to anything posted or shared on TikTok. "Obviously, parents and anyone who wants to use social platforms should be mindful of the risk," the minister said.

Despite calling it a national security concern, the Trudeau government used the Investment Canada Act, not the National Security Act to shut down TikTok’s offices, disqualifying the social media company from investing in Canada on national security grounds but not suggesting it was doing anything more.

TikTok says it is poised for legal action. "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. We will challenge this order in court," the spokesperson said in an email.

The US passed legislation banning TikTok entirely within America’s borders, effective Jan. 19, 2025. There was bipartisan agreement that TikTok owner ByteDance is a pawn of the Chinese government and would have to relinquish data on demand of the communist rulers in accordance with national security laws.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has suggested Canadians, use other social media apps for their communication, noting that teenagers especially should not be using TikTok for all their internet patter.

"Most people can say, 'Why is it a big deal for a teenager now to have their data [on TikTok]?' Well in five years, in 10 years, that teenager will be a young adult, will be engaged in different activities around the world," Former CSIS Director David Vigneault told CBC News "As an individual, I would say that I would absolutely not recommend someone have TikTok."