Canadian intelligence issues TikTok warning, explains why

Vigneault issued warnings about TikTok in an interview with CBC News.

Emphasizing that TikTok should not be used because it serves as an information channel for the Chinese government, David Vigneault said, "My answer as director is that the Chinese government has a very clear strategy to be able to obtain personal information from anyone around the world."

Stating that he would absolutely not recommend anyone use TikTok, Vigneault said, "Most people ask, 'Why does it matter if a young person's data is on (TikTok)?' In five years, in 10 years, that young person will be an adult and will be involved in different activities around the world."

Vigneault added, "If for any reason you become a target (of the People's Republic of China), they will have a lot of information about you."

Pointing out that China has large-scale centers that process and analyze data and are developing artificial intelligence, Vigneault claimed that the ultimate goal is always to protect the interests of the Chinese Communist Party.

SEEN AS A NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUE

Vigneault drew attention to the fact that Chinese President Xi Jinping has enacted a law that requires Chinese citizens, regardless of where they live in the world, to assist Chinese intelligence collectors in controlling information.

In many countries, especially the US, TikTok is seen as a "national security" issue.

FBI Director Christopher Wray had argued that the TikTok app, whose parent company is the Chinese firm Bytedance, provides China with the ability to control the data of millions of users.

A bill that paves the way for the divestiture of TikTok in the US, or its ban if it is not divested, was signed into law by US President Joe Biden on April 24.

News Source: AA