The Government of Canada prohibits the use of TikTok on all government-issued mobile devices, as using the app may make users more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
“As of February 28, the TikTok app will be automatically removed and blocked from use on all government-issued mobile devices,” said a memo to employees obtained Monday by CTV News. a senior Global Affairs official said.
Canada’s chief information officer has decided to secure government information systems and networks, the memo said.
“After reviewing the behavior of the mobile application, we found that TikTok’s data collection methods may make users more vulnerable to cyberattacks.”
The memo was signed by the department’s Assistant Secretary Stéphane Levesque, Chief Security Officer Sébastien Beaulieu, and Chief Information Officer Jean-Paul Donahue.
Canada’s Privacy Commissioner announced last week that he and his three provincial counterparts would launch a joint investigation into TikTok.
The study will examine whether the video streaming service’s practices comply with Canadian privacy laws, in particular whether “valid and meaningful consent” has been obtained for the collection and use of personal information,” said the commissioner. said in a joint statement.
The United States banned the use of TikTok on government-issued devices late last year. The European Commission enacted a similar ban last week.
The ban comes amid growing concerns about TikTok’s parent company, China-based ByteDance, and its handling of user data.
TikTok officials claim the app is not controlled by the Chinese government at all.
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– Using files from Chris Holski of Newstalk 580 CFRA
