Ottawa to shut TikToks Canada offices, says app can still be used [Video]

Canada said Wednesday it is shutting down TikTok’s offices in the country following a security review, but people will still be allowed to use the popular video-sharing app.

“The government is taking action to address the specific national security risks related to ByteDance Ltd.’s operations in Canada,” Francois-Philippe Champagne, minister of innovation, science and industry, said in a statement.

Ottawa is not imposing restrictions on Canadian users of TikTok, which has come under scrutiny for its ownership under China-based ByteDance.

“The decision to use a social media application or platform is a personal choice,” Champagne said.

Canada banned TikTok from all government devices last year and launched a security review of the application.

Champagne said Wednesday’s decision was made in accordance with a law that “allows for the review of foreign investments that may be injurious to Canada’s national security.”

TikTok said it would challenge the decision in court.

“Shutting down TikTok’s Canadian offices and destroying hundreds of well-paying …