Ottawa/IBNS-CMEDIA: Canada has allowed TikTok to operate in the country following a national security review, but with legally binding conditions aimed at strengthening data protection and safeguarding minors online.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said the decision was taken after a detailed assessment conducted under the Investment Canada Act, including advice from Canada’s security and intelligence agencies.
“The Government of Canada has completed the further national security review of the investment by TikTok Technology Canada Inc. and has decided to permit the investment to proceed, subject to new legally binding undertakings,” Joly said in a statement Monday.
The minister said protecting Canadians’ personal data and ensuring the safety of children online remain key priorities for the government.
Under the agreement, TikTok will introduce enhanced safeguards for Canadian user data, including new security gateways and privacy-enhancing technologies designed to control access to personal information and reduce the risk of unauthorised access.
The company will also adopt additional protections for minors, reflecting recommendations made in a joint investigation by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada into TikTok’s data practices.
To ensure compliance, an independent third-party monitor will be appointed to audit and verify TikTok’s data access controls.Officials said the approach is similar to measures implemented by the European Union in its oversight of digital platforms.
The government said it will enforce the commitments under the Investment Canada Act and continue examining additional steps to improve online safety, particularly for young users.
Officials also said the decision will help preserve Canadian jobs and ensure TikTok maintains a physical presence in the country.
The company has also committed to investing in Canada’s cultural sector, supporting Canadian creators, artists, and cultural organisations, and expanding access to Canadian cultural content in both official and Indigenous languages.
The decision comes after a period of uncertainty for TikTok’s operations in Canada. In 2024, the federal government ordered the company to wind down its Canadian business following national security concerns related to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, though the app itself remained available to users.
(Reporting by Suman Das)
