Canada announced a ban on the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok from government-issued devices on Monday, citing an “unacceptable” level of risk to privacy and security, escalating tensions between the two countries.
The move highlights the growing backlash against TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese firm ByteDance Ltd, over concerns about its proximity to Beijing and global control over user data.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters that his administration was carefully considering how to ensure Canadians’ online safety.
“This may be the only step we need to take,” he said, referring to the action against TikTok.
As the government prohibits TikTok from being used on work phones, “many Canadians, businesses, and private individuals will reflect on the security of their own data and may make decisions as a result,” he said.
According to a statement from Canada’s Treasury Board, which oversees public administration, the ban would take effect on Tuesday, and federal employees would be barred from downloading the application in the future.
TikTok’s data collection methods allow for extensive access to the contents of the phone, according to Treasury Board President Mona Fortier’s statement.
“While the risks of using this application are obvious, we have no evidence that government information has been compromised at this time,” she said.
TikTok initially expressed disappointment with the decision, but later added that it was “curious” that Canada acted to block the app only after similar bans in the European Union and the United States.
The ban was imposed “without citing any specific security concern or contacting us with questions,” according to an emailed statement from a TikTok spokesperson.
The European Commission imposed a similar ban last week, and the United States Senate passed legislation in December prohibiting federal employees from using the app on government-owned devices. TikTok will be banned in India in 2020.
TENSE RELATIONS
Canada’s action is another potential thorn in Sino-Canadian relations, which have been strained in recent years for a variety of reasons, most recently over Ottawa’s accusations that China attempted to influence its elections and was conducting air and maritime surveillance.
Beijing denies the allegations and has urged Ottawa to put an end to what it calls unwarranted speculation and slander.
Ottawa has previously barred Chinese firms from operating in Canada’s critical minerals and telecommunications sectors, citing national security concerns.
It ordered three Chinese companies to divest their investments in Canadian critical minerals in November, and it had previously prohibited the use of 5G equipment manufactured by Huawei Technologies Co Ltd [RIC:RIC: HWT.UL] and ZTE Corp. (000063.SZ).
Last week, Canada’s federal and three provincial privacy regulators announced a joint investigation into TikTok’s collection, use, and disclosure of personal information.
In its statement, the Treasury Board stated that the decision to use a social media application or platform is a personal one.
“The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (Cyber Centre) guidance from the Communications Security Establishment strongly recommends that Canadians understand the risks and make an informed choice on their own before deciding what tools to use.”
