Canada’s federal court has reversed a government directive to shut down TikTok’s operations in the country, allowing the popular short-form video platform to continue its services for the time being. In a brief ruling issued on Wednesday, federal court judge Russel Zinn invalidated the shutdown order and referred the case back to Industry Minister Mélanie Joly for reassessment without providing specific reasons.
A spokesperson for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada conveyed to CBC News via email that the matter now returns to the minister for a fresh national security evaluation. The spokesperson added that due to confidentiality regulations under the Investment Canada Act, no further details can be disclosed at this time.
TikTok expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision to set aside the shutdown order, as mentioned by a company representative in an interview with Radio-Canada. The spokesperson expressed eagerness to collaborate with the minister to reach a resolution that serves the interests of the over 14 million TikTok users in Canada. Retaining TikTok’s Canadian workforce, the spokesperson noted, will facilitate a way forward that sustains substantial investments in Canada and numerous local job opportunities.
In November 2024, Canada’s industry ministry had instructed the dissolution of TikTok’s operations, citing national security concerns; however, it clarified that user access and content creation on the platform were not impeded. TikTok had contested this decision and appealed the directive.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has been actively pursuing stronger ties with China to counterbalance the adverse effects of U.S. tariffs on the Canadian economy. Canada, along with other countries, has been closely monitoring TikTok amid apprehensions that Beijing could exploit the app for data harvesting or to further its strategic interests, given that TikTok is under the ownership of the Chinese company ByteDance.
Highlighting a past instance, last September TikTok had committed to enhancing measures to prevent children from accessing its Canadian platform following an investigation that revealed shortcomings in its efforts to restrict minors’ access and safeguard personal data.