Following President Joe Biden’s signing of legislation earlier this year mandating that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, divest from the app or face a ban in U.S. app stores, Canada has moved to reduce the company’s physical presence within its borders.

The Canadian government has directed the social video platform to close its two offices in the country due to national security concerns related to its operations there.

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“We concluded that TikTok’s activities in Canada posed a threat to national security,” stated Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne in an interview with CBC News.

“I cannot provide many details, but I believe Canadians will understand that when the government of Canada takes steps to safeguard national security, it is a significant matter.”

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While Canadian users will still be able to access the app, the company’s physical operations in the region will cease.

TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, have come under global scrutiny, with bans imposed in Canada, Belgium, the European Union, the UK, and the U.S. for use on government devices.

Last year, the company faced a $368 million fine from European regulators for not adequately protecting children’s privacy.

Last month, a bipartisan coalition of 14 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against TikTok, claiming the company misled the public about its platform’s safety and adversely affected young people’s mental health.

Person: Joe Biden, François-Philippe Champagne
Company Names: TikTok, ByteDance
Titles: States Sue TikTok For Harming Young People In Latest Challenge To Social Media Giant, ‘SNL’ Takes On TikTok Trends & Trad Wives With Billie Eilish, More Guest Stars

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