Canadian intelligence confirms that China is using TikTok to spy on users around the world
The head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warned Canadians against using the video application TikTok, noting that the data collected from its users is “available to the Chinese government,” he said. CBC News This Friday.
“My response as director of CSIS is that there is a very clear strategy by the government of China to be able to obtain personal information from anyone,” Canadian Security Intelligence Service Director David Vigneault told CBC in an interview. people around the world.” The interview will be broadcast publicly on Saturday.
While a TikTok spokesperson responded to this statement and explained, “These claims are not supported by evidence, and the truth is that TikTok has never shared Canadian user data with the Chinese government, and would not do so if we asked.”
In September, Canada ordered a national security review of TikTok's proposal to expand its short-video app business in the country. Vigneault said he would participate in that review and provide advice, CBC reported.
“We will continue to cooperate with Canadian authorities and would like the opportunity to meet with CSIS to discuss how to protect citizens’ privacy and security,” the spokesperson added.
TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, filed a lawsuit in a US federal court this month to block a law signed by President Joe Biden that would force them to withdraw their investments from the short video application used by 170 million Americans.
The law, which Biden signed on April 24, gives ByteDance until January 19 to sell TikTok or face a ban. The White House has said it wants to end Chinese ownership on national security grounds, but not impose a ban on TikTok.
