Canada ordered ByteDance Ltd. to wind up its subsidiary TikTok Technology Canada, Inc. — though the move will not stop Canadians from using the popular Chinese-backed social video app.
The decision follows a national security review, with evidence and advice from Canada’s security and intelligence agencies, according to a statement Wednesday from Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne. In 2023, the country joined allies including the US and European Union in banning the application on government-issued devices.
In a blog post, University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist said it was a “curious” move, adding that “banning the company rather than the app may actually make matters worse since the risks associated with the app will remain but the ability to hold the company accountable will be weakened.”
US President-Elect Donald Trump previously tried to ban TikTok back in 2020, and in April a bipartisan bill was passed forcing ByteDance to divest its TikTok ownership stake or face a US ban. TikTok is fighting the law in court. However, in July Trump toldBloomberg Businessweek he is now “for TikTok, because you need competition.”
Representatives for TikTok in Canada didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
— With assistance from Brian Platt
