TikTok can continue its operations in Canada after agreeing to enhanced security measures

Source: Engadget

TikTok cleared to continue operations in Canada

TikTok will be allowed to keep its Canadian operations after a national‑security review, announced by Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly. This reverses the 2024 decision to order the platform to shut down, which had cited “national security risks” linked to its China‑based parent ByteDance and was based on evidence from Canada’s security and intelligence community.

Background

The shutdown order was paused shortly after Mark Carney became Prime Minister in early 2025. Carney, the first Canadian PM to visit China in years, discussed tariffs with President Xi Jinping.

New security measures

Under the new arrangement, TikTok must:

• Implement privacy‑enhancing technologies to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to Canadians’ personal information.
• Add stronger protections for minors.
• Allow an independent third party to “audit and continuously verify data access controls.”

Government statements

“…this decision will protect Canadian jobs, ensuring that TikTok Canada maintains a physical presence in Canada, with commitments to invest in its cultural sector,” Joly said. “TikTok Canada will support the growth of Canadian creators, artists and cultural organizations, while strengthening the production and accessibility of Canadian cultural content in both official and Indigenous languages across the country.”