Regions like the United States, the European Union, and India have all attempted to curb TikTok‘s influence among their local populations. Now it’s Canada’s turn.
On the order of Canadian Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne, TikTok will be forced to shut down offices in Vancouver and Toronto. For the time being, the app itself has not been banned in Canada. North-of-the-border users will still be able to use TikTok, but the company’s operations in areas like ad sales and engineering will be weakened.
Champagne said that the government’s decision was informed by national security concerns. Canada’s security and intelligence community advised local authorities about the potential issues associate with TikTok’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is based in Beijing and has alleged ties with CCP officials.
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Canada’s plan to regulate TikTok differs from the strategy adopted by its neighbor to the South. While the American government attempts to force a ban or divestiture of TikTok, Canadian leadership is not looking to restrict access. “The government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content,” Champagne said. “The decision to use a social media application or platform is a personal choice.”
The decision to target TikTok’s offices without affecting the app’s status may use a softer touch than the regulations applied in the U.S. or E.U., but that doesn’t mean TikTok will accept the Canadian government’s punishment without a fight. In a brief response to Champagne’s edict, TikTok vowed to challenge the shutdown order in court, just as it has entered into a legal battle against the United States.
TikTok is not the only entity questioning the value of the shutdown order. In a blog post, University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist argued that “the risks associated with the app will remain but the ability to hold the company accountable will be weakened.”
By cultivating local stars (such as comedian Boman Martinez-Reid) and introducing revenue streams, TikTok has established a strong presence in Canada. The government’s decision will no doubt curb that growth (as long as it’s upheld) but ByteDance’s burgeoning revenue makes it a major player in any market it enters — even if it faces scrutiny along the way.
