Canada’s federal court has overturned a government order to shut down TikTok’s Canadian operations. The decision allows the short-video app to continue operating for now.
In November 2024, Canada’s industry ministry ordered TikTok’s business to be dissolved. Officials cited national security risks but did not block access or prevent users from creating content.
TikTok, which has over 14 million monthly users in Canada, appealed the decision. In a brief judgment, federal court judge Russel Zinn set aside the government order. He sent the case back to Industry Minister Melanie Joly for further review. The court did not provide detailed reasons.
The industry ministry stated that Minister Joly “will now proceed with a new national security review.” Officials added they could not comment further due to legal confidentiality rules.
TikTok welcomed the court’s decision. The company said it looks forward to cooperating with the government on national security measures.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has been promoting closer ties with China. This strategy aims to reduce economic losses caused by U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.
Canada and other nations have been reviewing TikTok over concerns about Chinese ownership. TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a company based in China. Officials worry that user data could be misused or that the app could serve China’s interests.
Last September, TikTok agreed to strengthen safety measures for children. Investigators found that previous efforts to protect minors and user data were inadequate. The company committed to improving its safeguards on its Canadian platform. Read our latest news on TikTok Deletes over 28 Million Pakistan Videos for Rule Violations.
The court’s ruling ensures that TikTok users in Canada can continue accessing the platform without interruption. However, the government will still review national security concerns. TikTok’s future operations will depend on the results of this review.
The decision highlights the ongoing debate over technology, privacy, and national security. Canada is closely monitoring how apps like TikTok handle user information while maintaining transparency.
