Canada bans Chinese-owned social media app TikTok over security risks
HY News
28 February, 2023 11:44 am IST
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Canada will ban social media app TikTok from all government-issued devices over security risks starting on Tuesday.
The decision follows a review by Canada's chief information officer, and the app "presents an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security", a government spokesperson said in a statement.
According to media reports, a TikTok spokesperson said the company was disappointed by the decision.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there was enough concern about security around the app to require the change. TikTok has been criticised for its use of personal information and ties to the Chinese government. The short-form video app is owned by Chinese firm ByteDance Ltd.
Canadian privacy regulators are also investigating TikTok over concerns about user data, in particular whether the company obtains "valid and meaningful" consent from users when collecting personal information.
TikTok faces intensifying scrutiny from Europe and America over security and data privacy amid worries that the app could be used to promote pro-Beijing views or sweep up users’ information. It comes as China and the west are locked in a wider tug of war over technology ranging from spy balloons to computer chips.
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