The industry minister closed TikTok’s offices in Toronto and Vancouver over security concerns, but Canadians can still download and use the app.

The Canadian government has ordered the wind-up of TikTok in the country, citing national security risks. The company has been ordered to shut down its Canadian subsidiary, TikTok Technology Canada, and close its offices in Toronto and Vancouver, following a national security review.

Canada has ordered TikTok to shut down its offices in Toronto and Vancouver due to growing concerns about data privacy and potential foreign interference related to its Chinese ownership. This decision aligns with a global trend of countries implementing bans or restrictions on TikTok,

Canada is winding down TikTok's business operation, as the app continues attract ire for its shady data collection practices.

The order, which will allow people to still use the app, cited concerns about TikTok’s owner, the Chinese tech giant ByteDance.

Though TikTok wasn’t banned in Canada, the country shut down two of its TikTok offices in Vancouver and Toronto.

Canada ordered ByteDance Ltd. to wind up its subsidiary in the country, though the move will not stop Canadians from using the popular Chinese-backed social video app.

In the wake of Canada’s decision to ban TikTok’s business operations over national security concerns, The National asks cybersecurity expert Brent Arnold and CBC’s national technology columnist Takara Small to break down the impacts for TikTok users and whether a full ban on the app is next.