The Canadian government announced on Wednesday that it would not ban TikTok but ordered the Chinese-owned company to dissolve its Canadian operations.

The decision follows a national security review that raised concerns about potential risks associated with ByteDance Ltd., TikTok's parent company.

Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne clarified that the government is not blocking Canadians from accessing or using the TikTok app. However, he emphasized the importance of adopting strong cybersecurity practices to protect personal information.

The dissolution order was issued under the Investment Canada Act, which allows for the review of foreign investments that could pose a threat to national security. The decision was based on the advice of Canadian security and intelligence agencies.

TikTok expressed disappointment with the government's decision, stating that it would challenge the order in court. The company also highlighted the potential job losses resulting from the shutdown of its Canadian offices.

TikTok's Chinese ownership has drawn significant scrutiny from Western governments, with concerns about data privacy and potential Chinese government influence. The app's popularity among young people has further amplified these concerns.

Canada's decision to order the dissolution of TikTok's Canadian operations aligns with similar measures taken by other countries, including the United States, which has banned TikTok on government devices. (ILKHA)