TikTok urgently pitches Canada security solution to avoid shutdown

TikTok is trying to talk to Canada about security solutions that would spare the popular video app from a looming order to shut down operations in the country.

So far, its pleas have fallen on deaf ears, said Steve de Eyre, director of TikTok’s government affairs for Canada, in an interview. “We are still looking to get to the table,” he said.

TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, started this month to freeze spending on cultural programmes and sponsorships following a November directive to close its Canadian unit, which cited national security concerns. TikTok would still be available on app stores for Canadians to use after the shutdown.

“Time is running out,” de Eyre said, although the company declined to share its deadline. TikTok has challenged the order in court.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew wrote to Industry Minister Melanie Joly on July 2 requesting an urgent in-person meeting within the next two weeks.

According to a copy of the letter seen by Bloomberg, he wrote: “The windup process is rapidly approaching a critical juncture where, unless you intervene, TikTok will be forced to fire all of its Canadian employees” as well as halting investment and support for creators.

De Eyre confirmed the contents of the letter and said the company has not yet received an official response. The Industry Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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