The Current Liberals flip flop on TikTok ban
Mar 11, 2026
Laura Osmond, a tech and policy correspondent at The Logic, breaks down Canada’s reversal on its 2024 TikTok ban. She explains why the original move puzzled observers. She outlines national security concerns, U.S. influence on policy, TikTok’s new safeguards, and remaining questions about Chinese access to data.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Why Canada Banned TikTok Company But Kept The App
- Canada's 2024 decision targeted TikTok's Canadian operations, not the app, revealing a narrow legal approach.
- The government used the Investment Act to block on-the-ground activities while leaving the app available to 16+ million Canadian users.
Data Flow To Beijing Drove Security Fears
- Main national security concern was data flowing to ByteDance's Beijing parent and potential foreign interference.
- The 2024 move came amid a tense Canada–China relationship and an inquiry into foreign interference where China featured heavily.
Court Case And Diplomatic Visit Prompted The Reversal
- The court challenge and Mark Carney's China trip triggered a rethink and legal agreement to quash the shutdown order.
- Laura Osmond notes the decision to revisit followed diplomatic shifts and litigation rather than new technical findings.