No, TikTok isn't banned in Canada. Canadians can still download the app, post and run a business account. In November 2024 the government ordered TikTok's Canadian office to wind up, but said it wasn't blocking the app. Then on 9 March 2026, after a further national security review, it let TikTok Technology Canada keep operating under new legally binding undertakings.
The one real ban is narrower: since 28 February 2023, TikTok has been removed from Government of Canada mobile devices, and users of those devices are blocked from downloading it.
The short timeline
| Date | What happened | Did it affect ordinary users? |
|---|---|---|
| 28 February 2023 | TikTok removed from government-issued mobile devices | No, only government devices |
| 6 November 2024 | Government orders the wind up of TikTok Technology Canada, Inc. after a national security review | No, the app stayed available |
| 9 March 2026 | Further review ends; TikTok Canada allowed to continue, subject to new undertakings | No, and TikTok keeps a physical presence in Canada |
Why people thought TikTok was banned in Canada
The November 2024 order made headlines as a TikTok ban, but it was aimed at the company's Canadian business, not the app. The statement from the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry was direct: the government was not blocking Canadians' access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content, and the decision to use a social media platform is a personal choice.
The order was made under the Investment Canada Act, which lets the government review foreign investments that may harm national security. The government said it was acting on specific national security risks related to ByteDance Ltd.'s operations in Canada through the set-up of TikTok Technology Canada, Inc.
That distinction matters for anyone who reads the news in a hurry. Winding up a company's local office and banning an app are two different things, and in Canada only the first was ever ordered. The government said plainly that Canadians could keep using the app and creating content, and the 2026 decision kept the Canadian office open too.
What changed in March 2026
On 9 March 2026, Industry Minister Melanie Joly announced that the further national security review was complete and that the investment could proceed, subject to new legally binding undertakings from TikTok Canada. The government listed what TikTok agreed to:
- Data protection. New security gateways and privacy-enhancing technologies to control access to Canadian user data.
- Protections for minors, in line with the findings and recommendations of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada's joint investigation of TikTok.
- An independent monitor. A third-party monitor appointed to audit and continuously verify data access controls, as has been done in the EU.
- A Canadian presence. TikTok Canada keeps a physical presence in Canada, with commitments to invest in the cultural sector and support Canadian creators, artists and cultural organizations.
The minister also said the government is reviewing measures to make social media safer for young Canadians, looking at recent initiatives in other countries. So the rules around teenagers on social media may still move, even though the app itself remains available.
The government device ban
This is the only TikTok ban that applies to anyone in Canada. The Treasury Board announced that from 28 February 2023 the app would be removed from government-issued mobile devices, after the Chief Information Officer of Canada found it presented an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security. The statement added that there was no evidence at that point that government information had been compromised.
Canada wasn't alone. When the UK banned TikTok on its own government devices in March 2023, it said the move was in line with restrictions brought in by the US and Canadian governments and the European Commission.
What it means if you use TikTok for business in Canada
- Your account is fine. Nothing in the government's decisions removes the app or business accounts for the public.
- Work devices may differ. If you work for, or with, the federal government, the app can't be on government-issued phones. Check your own employer's or client's device rules too.
- Think about where your data goes. The government's own advice is to assess the risks of any social media platform, including how information may be protected, used and shared, and which country's laws apply.
- Don't put all your eggs on one platform. A headline about any platform can land overnight, so keep a way to reach your customers that you control.
How to check the risks yourself
Both the 2023 and 2024 statements point Canadians to the guidance from the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, part of the Communications Security Establishment. The 2023 statement notes that on a mobile device, TikTok's data collection methods provide considerable access to the contents of the phone. If that worries you, check the app's permissions in your phone settings and switch off anything you don't need, such as contacts or precise location.
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My advice
Keep posting. The app isn't banned, and the March 2026 decision means TikTok's Canadian office is staying too. Just treat TikTok as one channel, not the whole plan: keep your email list and your website as the places you own, so a future headline about any platform can't cut you off from your customers.
Frequently asked questions
Is TikTok banned in Canada?
No. The government ordered TikTok's Canadian business to wind up in November 2024 but said it wasn't blocking Canadians' access to the app. In March 2026 it let TikTok Canada continue under new legally binding undertakings.
Can TikTok Canada keep operating?
Yes. On 9 March 2026, after a further national security review, the government permitted the investment to proceed, subject to new undertakings including stronger data protections and an independent monitor.
Is TikTok banned on Canadian government phones?
Yes. From 28 February 2023, TikTok was removed from Government of Canada mobile devices and users of those devices were blocked from downloading it.
Why did Canada order TikTok to wind up its Canadian office?
The government said it was acting on specific national security risks related to ByteDance Ltd.'s operations in Canada, after a review under the Investment Canada Act.
Can I still use TikTok for my business in Canada?
Yes. The app remains available, and the government said the decision to use a social media platform is a personal choice.
