TikTok Fights Back Against Canadian Ban as US Deadline Approaches

By Marcus Hartley

December 11, 2024 at 10:48 PM

TikTok is actively challenging government-imposed restrictions in both Canada and the United States, with the latest development centered on a legal battle in Canada.

The company filed for judicial review in Vancouver's federal court on December 5, contesting the Canadian government's order to shut down TikTok Technology Canada. This decision followed a national security review of ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company.

TikTok logo against dark background

TikTok logo against dark background

Key Points:

  • TikTok has 14 million Canadian users (roughly one-third of the population)
  • The company maintains offices in Toronto and Vancouver
  • The government order affects business operations but doesn't block app access
  • ByteDance relocated its headquarters to Singapore in 2020

TikTok's Legal Arguments:

  • Claims the government's decision was "unreasonable" and "driven by improper purposes"
  • Describes the order as "grossly disproportionate"
  • States the national security review was "procedurally unfair"
  • Argues the measures don't connect to identified security risks
  • Warns of hundreds of job losses and threatened business contracts

The Canadian government, led by Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne, maintains its decision was based on "specific national security risks" and supported by Canada's security and intelligence community.

This Canadian challenge comes as TikTok faces similar pressures globally, particularly in the United States where a potential ban looms in January, and in Europe where concerns include potential election interference campaigns.

Gavel in courtroom

Gavel in courtroom

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