Canada Orders TikTok to Close Offices, Citing Security Risks

The Canadian government has ordered the dissolution of TikTok Technology Canada, Inc. over national security concerns, prompting the closure of the company’s offices in Vancouver and Toronto. This action follows a national security review conducted under the Investment Canada Act, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne announced Wednesday.

Citing “specific national security risks” related to TikTok’s Beijing-based parent company ByteDance Ltd., Champagne said the decision was based on “rigorous scrutiny by Canada’s national security and intelligence community.” The move comes amid rising global concerns about the potential for Chinese-owned platforms to access and misuse foreign data.

Although TikTok’s Canadian offices will be shuttered, the video-sharing app itself remains available for Canadian users, and the government is not restricting access to the platform. Champagne emphasized that the decision to use TikTok is “a personal choice,” urging Canadians to consider cybersecurity best practices and be mindful of the platform’s foreign data laws.

As reported by The Canadian Press, the closure of TikTok’s Canadian operations could significantly impact local creators who relied on the company’s Toronto and Vancouver branches for technical support and brand partnerships. Social media strategist Michelle Nguyen said creators now risk losing ad dollars as advertisers may hesitate to invest in the app, and local creators worry their revenue could take a hit.

TikTok spokesperson Danielle Morgan condemned the government’s order, calling it “destructive” to local employment and pledging to challenge the decision in court. The Canadian offices’ closure will result in hundreds of job losses, Morgan said, adding that TikTok’s data protection policies meet global standards. This response mirrors similar actions TikTok is facing in the US, where ByteDance has been given a January 2025 deadline to divest from the app or face a potential ban.

Canada’s national security review aligns with efforts by other Western countries to restrict TikTok from official devices. Canada previously barred the app from government-issued phones, following similar moves by the US and the European Union.

While TikTok remains accessible to Canadian users, the government is urging caution. “It is important for Canadians to assess the risks,” Champagne noted, underscoring that the government will “act decisively” when investments threaten Canada’s national security.