Canada court overturns government order to ban TikTok
Photo: The judge did not explain the reasons for the decision (Getty Images)
On January 21, a Canadian federal court overturned a government order to shut down TikTok's operations in Canada. The app will continue operating in the country, and Ottawa must reconsider the case, according to Reuters.
In November 2024, Canada's Ministry of Industry ordered the dissolution of TikTok's Canadian unit, citing national security risks.
At the same time, the Ministry emphasized that the government was not blocking access to the app or restricting users' ability to create content. TikTok, which says it has more than 14 million monthly users in Canada, challenged the decision in court.
In a brief ruling, Federal Court Judge Russell Zinn overturned the government's order and sent the case back to Industry Minister Mélanie Joly for reconsideration. He did not provide reasons for the decision.
Canada's Ministry of Industry said Joly will now launch a new national security review, adding that it could not provide further comment due to legal provisions and confidentiality requirements.
TikTok welcomed the ruling in a statement and expressed hope for cooperation with Joly.
Reuters notes that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is seeking closer ties with China to offset economic damage from US tariffs.
At the same time, Canada and other countries are closely scrutinizing TikTok amid concerns that China could use the app to collect user data or promote its interests (TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance).
In September 2025, TikTok agreed to strengthen measures to prevent children from accessing its Canadian website and app after an investigation found the company's efforts to block children and protect personal data were insufficient.
Bans on TikTok and other social media
In recent years, the issue of banning TikTok has been actively debated in the US due to concerns that China's leadership could gain access to user data.
As a result, Congress passed a bill requiring the sale of TikTok to American owners to avoid a ban. The app was ultimately blocked but was restored almost immediately after Donald Trump took office, allowing further negotiations over a sale.
In late December 2025, CNN reported that TikTok signed a deal to spin off its US assets into a separate company with the backing of President Donald Trump.
Although the deal has not yet been finalized, the move brings the platform closer to securing a long-term presence in the US market.
The proposals to restrict TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat for children are also being actively discussed in Spain, France, and Greece. The concerns are driven not only by harmful content but also by documented effects on brain function, including reduced attention span, anxiety, and depression.
