TikTok, the popular short-form video platform owned by China-based ByteDance, has been banned in Canada. The use of TikTok has been strictly prohibited on government-issued devices due to concerns over security and privacy risks, owing to its China connection. On the other hand, the US White House on Wednesday gave federal agencies a period of 30 days to ensure TikTok is removed from all government-issued devices as well. Both nations believe that TikTok could be leveraged by China to access sensitive user data and hence presents unacceptable levels of risk and security.
The TikTok ban in Canada is part of an overarching national campaign to ensure the safety of its citizens online. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was quoted by Reuters saying, "This may be a first step, it may be the only step we need to take."
Trudeau believes that the move will lead to citizens and organisations to take their own data security seriously.
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While Canada's ban on TikTok comes into effect immediately, the US has given a maximum period of 30 days within which TikTok will be removed from all agency-owned or operated devices, and to "prohibit Internet traffic" to the app, as reported by Agence France-Presse.
The US ban is only restricted to government devices and is not applicable to the 138 million active users who are currently using TikTok in the US. The app has a global monthly active user base of over 1 billion.
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Back in 2020, TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps were banned completely in India (private and government usage), as they were deemed "prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order."
This move was in response to a military clash between India and China in disputed territory along the Ladakh-China border. Other popular Chinese apps such as Weibo and UC Browser were also banned in the process.