A Canadian federal court on Wednesday suspended a 2024 government directive ordering the closure of TikTok’s offices in the country, a move that had followed a national security review by Ottawa.
While the order did not restrict Canadians from using the video-sharing app, the Ministry of Industry had instructed TikTok Technology Canada—a subsidiary of China-based ByteDance—to shut its offices in Toronto and Vancouver.
TikTok challenged the decision in court and secured a temporary reprieve, according to Canadian media reports. In its ruling, the court not only set aside the shutdown order but also directed the industry ministry to carry out an additional national security assessment.
The ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Reacting to the decision, TikTok Canada spokesperson Danielle Morgan told French-language broadcaster Radio-Canada that the ruling provides “a path forward that continues to support millions of dollars of investment in Canada and hundreds of local jobs.”
“We welcome the decision to set aside the order to shut down TikTok Canada and look forward to working with the Minister, Melanie Joly, toward a resolution that serves the best interests of the more than 14 million Canadians who use TikTok,” Morgan said.
The Canadian government had said in November 2024 that the decision to close TikTok’s local operations was necessary to address “specific national security risks.” Several Western governments have raised concerns that the app could allow Chinese authorities to access user data for surveillance purposes.
Canada banned TikTok from all government-issued devices in 2023, though it maintained that the app’s personal use remained a matter of individual choice.
Meanwhile, TikTok announced in December that it had entered into a joint venture with investors aimed at preserving its operations in the United States and avoiding a ban linked to its Chinese ownership.
—AFP
