Canada’s TikTok dilemma: Balancing security and user freedom

By Dana ELRufaei, December 15 2024—

What happens when the digital lifeline of a generation faces a political crossroads? The Trudeau government has recently decided to shut down TikTok’s operations in Canada, citing national security concerns related to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. However, unlike other countries, Canada has not blocked access to the app, allowing Canadians to continue using the platform and creating content. As TikTok’s popularity grows, particularly among young Canadians, the broader social media landscape could be affected in ways that are still unfolding.

The decision to allow TikTok to remain accessible to Canadian users reflects the complexity of regulating global tech companies. For millions of Canadians, TikTok has become a vital tool for creativity, entertainment and connection. As Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne has pointed out, choosing to use social media is a personal decision and the app’s continued accessibility allows users to engage with the platform how they see fit.

The most immediate impact of this decision is the closure of the company’s local offices in Toronto and Vancouver. This will result in job losses for hundreds of employees and may affect local operations, such as customer support and community engagement. A TikTok spokesperson confirmed that the company would challenge the order in court, emphasizing the economic impact of the government’s decision. The layoffs serve as a reminder that while national security is important, real-world consequences exist for businesses and workers in the digital economy.

Conversely, the decision will likely have minimal impact on Canadian users, as the app will remain available for download and use. Canadians can still access TikTok’s vast library, connect with creators and enjoy its algorithm-driven content. For many, TikTok remains a key part of social media engagement and digital expression.

Canada’s decision highlights broader concerns around TikTok’s Chinese ownership. The app’s rapid rise has been accompanied by fears that Beijing could use it to collect data on Western users or promote pro-China narratives and misinformation. While TikTok has denied sharing user data with the Chinese government, the app’s ties to ByteDance—a company headquartered in Beijing—continue to raise alarms among security officials and policymakers in the West.

This national security review is not unique to Canada. TikTok has been under increasing scrutiny in the United States and Europe, where lawmakers have expressed concerns over the app’s data privacy practices. U.S. President Joe Biden signed legislation earlier this year that would force ByteDance to sell TikTok to a U.S. company within a year or face a nationwide ban. This follows a similar push by President Donald Trump, who also sought to ban the app due to security risks, though his attempts were blocked in court.

In Canada, the government’s decision to dissolve TikTok’s local offices while allowing the app to remain operational strikes a delicate balance between national security and user interests. Champagne explained that the move was based on advice from Canada’s security and intelligence agencies, which raised concerns about the potential risks posed by TikTok. By ordering the dissolution of TikTok Technology Canada Inc., Canada addresses those risks without severing the platform’s connection to its users.

While this may seem like a reasonable middle ground, critics argue that it may not fully mitigate the risks associated with the app. Michael Geist, a professor of internet law at the University of Ottawa, warned that the government’s decision to shutter TikTok’s offices instead of banning the app might actually make the situation more complicated. Without a local presence, the government’s ability to hold the company accountable could be weakened, and the data risks posed by the app would remain.

In practical terms, the decision will have mixed consequences. For content creators and businesses who rely on TikTok’s platform to reach audiences, the app remains a powerful tool for visibility and growth. TikTok’s algorithm-driven videos allow creators to connect with new followers and showcase their talents to a global audience. On the other hand, concerns over data privacy and foreign influence will likely continue to loom over the app as Canada, like many other countries, seeks to navigate the complexities of regulating tech giants with global reach.

This article is a part of our Opinions section and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Gauntlet editorial board.