The Canadian government has ordered TikTok to wind up operations in the country citing national security concerns.
According to CBC, Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the decision behind the order – which will entail shutting of app's Toronto and Vancouver offices — was based on a national security review.
"We came to the conclusion that these activities that were conducted in Canada by TikTok and their offices would be injurious to national security," he said.
The citizens however will continue to be able to access the app and order only means end to the physical operations, the minister said.
"The decision to use a social media application or platform is a personal choice," he said, even as he advised the people to use the platform "with eyes wide open."
The decision was made under the Investment Canada Act, which allows for the review of foreign investments that may harm Canada's national security.
TikTok refused to take the decision lying down and said it plans to take legal action.
"Shutting down TikTok's Canadian offices and destroying hundreds of well-paying local jobs is not in anyone's best interest, and today's shutdown order will do just that. We will challenge this order in court," a spokesperson told CBC news.
TikTok is banned in India and faces a legal scrutiny in the US over apprehensions of data sharing with the Chinese government.
US lawmakers contend that TikTok owner ByteDance is a Chinese puppet and may share users' data with the government.
ByteDance is also accused of helping to build China's system for cracking down on the Uyghur minority, and of targeting protesters in Hong Kong.
In February 2023, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) banned TikTok from all government devices.
TikTok maintains the Chinese government has no leverage over it and that its servers are outside of China.
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