Canadian court overturns order forcing TikTok to shut operations
A federal court in Canada has overturned a government directive that required TikTok to wind down its business operations in the country. The ruling allows the company to maintain its offices while authorities conduct a fresh national security review.
A Canadian federal court has ruled against the government's order to shut down TikTok's business operations in the country, media reports confirmed on Wednesday. The decision permits the popular social media platform to continue its corporate activities pending a new national security assessment.
Court suspends shutdown pending new review
According to a CTV News report, the court's ruling effectively suspends the directive issued last year, allowing TikTok's parent company ByteDance to maintain its Canadian offices. The judicial intervention mandates that authorities conduct another comprehensive review before any enforcement action can proceed. The decision follows a recent diplomatic visit to China by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, though no direct link has been established.
Background of the national security order
The Canadian government initially ordered TikTok Technology Canada Inc. to cease its business operations in November 2024. This order was based on a review conducted under the Investment Canada Act, which identified specific national security risks. Ottawa's justification cited concerns over how information is "protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors," referring to the Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance Ltd. Notably, the original order targeted the company's corporate backend operations while allowing Canadian users to continue accessing the TikTok app itself.
Global context and ongoing scrutiny
The case reflects a broader, global pattern of scrutiny over foreign-owned technology platforms and data sovereignty. Several nations, including Türkiye, have implemented or are considering regulations to ensure critical digital infrastructure and citizen data remain secure. As of now, there has been no immediate public reaction from ByteDance or TikTok regarding the Canadian court's decision. The ruling represents a significant, albeit temporary, legal reprieve for the company in a key Western market.
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