In a dramatic move, the Canadian government has ordered TikTok to wind down its operations in the country, affecting its offices based in Toronto and Vancouver. While Canadian users will still retain access to the popular social media platform, the dissolution of its local offices follows a security review of TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance Ltd.
According to Billboard, industry minister François-Philippe Champagne noted that the decision stems from the information collected during the review process, cautioning that TikTok’s operations could allegedly pose risks to national security.
“The government of Canada is taking measures to protect national security and that’s serious,” he stated while refusing to divulge specific details of the alleged threats.
Despite the shutdown order, a spokesperson for TikTok has voiced strong opposition, arguing that the decision jeopardizes hundreds of local jobs and stating that they intend to challenge the order in court.
This move echoes similar scrutiny faced by TikTok in the United States, where the company has been pressured to divest from its parent company or cease operations.
In the U.S., prior actions taken against the app include a bill signed by President Joe Biden, a vote by the U.S. House of Representatives and a ban in states including Montana.
TikTok has been instrumental in fostering the careers of several Canadian artists, including Tate McRae, through various initiatives designed to boost local talent. The platform recently launched a weekly music chart tracking viral songs in Canada, spotlighting homegrown artists and their growing impact in the music industry.
The impression TikTok has left on the music industry is indisputable, but only the future holds answers to how the shutdown and other legal action taken against the app will change this.
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