Canada has become the latest country to speak out about the threat posed by Chinese social media app TikTok, with the government today ordering the shutdown of TikTok’s business in the country — but not banning the app outright.

Following in steps from USA and more other nationsCanada considers the app, owned by ByteDance Ltd., to be a danger to national security as a potential spying device for the Chinese Communist Party. The country’s innovation minister, François-Philippe Champagne, said the order means TikTok Technology Canada must “wind down” its business, meaning close its offices.

About a year ago, TikTok had planned a expansion of its business in Canada, a move that could only happen with a thorough government review. Apparently the company didn’t pass muster. “The decision was based on the information and evidence collected during the assessment and the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” Champagne said.

He also told users to be “aware” when using the app and to keep their “eyes wide open” to the possibility of their data being misused. This is a somewhat mild warning compared to the US, where TikTok faces an outright ban and belongs to a group of social media apps that are currently under fire. blamed for mental health crisis with the youth.

“The decision to use a social media app or platform is a personal choice,” Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada said in a statement. “It is important that Canadians adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the potential risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information might be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, and aware of which the laws of the land apply.”

A TikTok spokesperson said the office closures mean “destroying hundreds of well-paying local jobs is not in anyone’s best interest”. The spokesperson said TikTok will fight the order in court.

Photo: Unsplash