Canada closes TikTok offices, but will not block the app

Canada’s Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne announced the decision to close the offices of Vancouver-based TikTok Technology Canada due to “specific national security risks.”

According to Champagne, “the decision was made based on the information and evidence collected during the review, as well as recommendations from Canadian security and intelligence services and other government partners.”

“It is important that Canadians adhere to good cybersecurity practices and assess the potential risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is protected, managed, used and shared with foreign entities,” the minister said.

At the same time, Canada will not block the operation of the TikTok application on its territory or prohibit its citizens from using it.