TikTok is contesting a Canadian government directive to cease its business operations in the country due to national security concerns. The company filed an application for judicial review with the Federal Court in Vancouver on December 5, 2024, seeking to overturn the order mandating the dissolution of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.
Despite the order, Canadian users will retain access to the TikTok app. TikTok, which has approximately 14 million users in Canada, argues that the government’s decision is “unreasonable” and “driven by improper purposes,” describing the order as “grossly disproportionate” and alleging procedural unfairness in the national security review.
The Canadian government’s decision followed a national security review of TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance Ltd., under the Investment Canada Act, which permits the assessment of foreign investments for potential national security risks. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne stated that the action addresses “specific national security risks,” though specific details were not provided.
TikTok contends that the government did not engage with the company regarding the identified security concerns and suggests that less severe alternatives to a shutdown were available. The company warns that dissolving its Canadian operations could lead to significant economic losses and the elimination of hundreds of jobs.
This legal challenge in Canada mirrors TikTok’s ongoing disputes in other countries, including the United States, where similar national security concerns have prompted legislative actions against the platform.