Nova Scotia bans TikTok from all government-issued mobile devices
A day after the federal government announced TikTok would be banned on all government-issued mobile devices, the government of Nova Scotia is following suit.
In a news release Tuesday evening, the province says beginning March 1, TikTok will be banned from all government-issued phones.
Nova Scotia's minister of service Nova Scotia and internal services, Colton LeBlanc, says there is "no need for the TikTok app on government-issued mobile devices."
"On March 1, the TikTok app will be removed from all government-issued mobile devices and blocked from being accessed to protect the privacy and security of government information," said LeBlanc in the news release.
According to the government release, the TikTok application's data collection methods provide substantial access to the contents of the phone, making those who have downloaded the app more vulnerable to surveillance.
The province also cites concerns about the legal regime that governs the information collection.
"There is no evidence, at this time, that foreign actors have compromised government information," read the release.
On Monday, the federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices days after federal and provincial privacy commissioners launched an investigation into the social media platform.
The decision follows a review by Canada's chief information officer, who determined that TikTok presented an "unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security."
While the ban does not go so far as to completely ban the app in Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it could encourage individuals and businesses to think about the security of their own data.
The U.S. and the European Union recently banned government personnel from using TikTok on work devices.
A TikTok spokesperson said the social media company is always open to meeting with government officials to discuss how it protects the privacy of Canadians.
With files from The Canadian Press.
For full coverage of Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump threatens to try to take back the Panama Canal. Panama's president balks at the suggestion
Donald Trump suggested Sunday that his new administration could try to regain control of the Panama Canal that the United States “foolishly” ceded to its Central American ally, contending that shippers are charged “ridiculous” fees to pass through the vital transportation channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Man handed 5th distracted driving charge for using cell phone on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
An Ottawa driver was charged for using a cell phone behind the wheel on Sunday, the fifth time he has faced distracted driving charges.
Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration
Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms.
Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no
A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General.
opinion Christmas movies for people who don't like Christmas movies
The holidays can bring up a whole gamut of emotions, not just love and goodwill. So CTV film critic Richard Crouse offers up a list of Christmas movies for people who might not enjoy traditional Christmas movies.
More than 7,000 Jeep SUVs recalled in Canada over camera display concern
A software issue potentially affecting the rearview camera display in select Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee models has prompted a recall of more than 7,000 vehicles.
'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years
After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy.
10 hospitalized after carbon monoxide poisoning in Ottawa's east end
The Ottawa Police Service says ten people were taken to hospital, with one of them in life-threatening condition, after being exposed to carbon monoxide in the neighbourhood of Vanier on Sunday morning.
New York City police apprehend suspect in the death of a woman found on fire in a subway car
New York City police announced Sunday they have in custody a “person of interest” in the early morning death of a woman who they believe may have fallen asleep on a stationary subway train before being intentionally lit on fire by a man she didn't know.