Canada has become the latest country to talk about the threat of the Chinese social media app TikTok, with the government today ordering the closure of TikTok’s business in the country – but not outright banning the use of the app.

Following in the footsteps of the U.S. and several other nations, Canada believes that the app, owned by ByteDance Ltd., poses a danger to national security as a potential spying device for the Chinese Communist Party. The country’s Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne said that the order means TikTok Technology Canada must “wind up” its business, meaning closing its offices.

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

He also told users to be “mindful” when using the app and to keep their “eyes wide open” to the possibility of their data being misused. This is a somewhat light warning compared with the U.S., where TikTok faces an outright ban and belongs to a group of social media apps currently being blamed for the mental health crisis facing the young.

“The decision to use a social media application or platform is a personal choice,” Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada said in a statement. “It is important for Canadians to adopt good cyber security practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”

A spokesperson for TikTok said closing down offices is “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