Digital media experts say that by ordering TikTok to cease operations in Canada but not banning the app, the federal government is sending a mixed message and questioning whether average users should remain on the platform. He says it makes it difficult to judge.
Richard Lachman said the government’s messaging about the order was confusing because, while it told people there was something wrong with TikTok, they didn’t have enough information to know how cautious they should be about the social media platform. He said this was because it was not provided.
The associate professor at Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Radio, Television Arts and Media doesn’t know much about the government’s concerns, but says all Canadians can do is make uninformed decisions.
Philippe Mai, co-director of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Social Media Lab, agrees. He doesn’t know the details of what the government is concerned about, but said Canadians should treat their use of TikTok as a personal choice.
The federal government announced Wednesday that it wants to shut down TikTok’s operations in Canada, citing national security risks, but has not yet provided details on specific concerns about the platform.
Lawmakers and security experts in other countries are concerned that TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, could be forced to help the group collect intelligence in its home country, potentially endangering other countries and their own citizens.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024.
