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Canada conducts a review of the impact of the "TikTok" app on national security

Canada conducts a review of the impact of the "TikTok" app on national security

By م.زهير الشاعر

Published: March 16, 2024

Canadian Minister of Industry François-Philippe Champagne said on Friday that Canada is conducting a national security review of the proposed expansion for the China-owned app "TikTok".

Champagne said – in a remote conference, after meeting with his G7 counterparts – that the review under the Canadian Investment Act began in September last year.

He added: "We have launched a national security review of TikTok.. and once that is complete, we will inform Canadians of any actions we decide to take regarding this specific matter."

He continued without mentioning when this would happen: "I will have more to say when our review is complete."

Champagne pointed to the March 2023 announcement that foreign investments in Canada's interactive digital media sector will face "intensive scrutiny".

He confirmed that those found to "spread misinformation or manipulate information in a way that harms Canada's national security" may face strict measures or even a ban.

The Canadian review is not related to a proposed US bill that would force its Chinese owners to sell it or ban it in the United States.

The reason for this bill is partly due to concerns about Chinese national security laws that require organizations to assist in gathering intelligence.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday, after the US House of Representatives passed the bill, which still needs Senate approval: "We are, of course, watching the ongoing discussion in the United States."

Ottawa banned the "TikTok" app from federal government mobile devices in February 2023.

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