Singh mulls TikTok return as U.S. nears potential ban over security fears – National | 24CA News
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he’s contemplating personally reactivating his TikTok account because the U.S. authorities strikes in the wrong way with the looming chance of a ban on the favored social media platform over safety considerations.
“We’re making that consideration on how to get back on in a safe way,” mentioned Singh at a news convention Wednesday in Edmonton.
A 12 months in the past, the NDP chief had practically one million TikTok followers – one of many largest for a Canadian politician.
He deactivated the app final 12 months, after the federal Liberals banned it on government-issued telephones.
The transfer got here as Western leaders expressed considerations TikTok might share person information with China – one thing the corporate denies.
“Those concerns for federal devices I understood and I listened,” Singh instructed reporters.
But the NDP chief says his occasion “is back on the platform” and is mulling a return “on [his] personal side.”
Singh made the remarks the identical day U.S. President Joe Biden signed a invoice into regulation, forcing TikTok’s Chinese father or mother firm ByteDance to promote the app throughout the 12 months or face an American ban.
“I think they’re very worried about foreign interference with the [U.S.] elections coming up. So, they’re taking some very stark steps,” mentioned Western University sociology professor Anabel Quan-Haase, who research social networks and know-how.
Right now, a public inquiry into overseas interference is underway in Canada, taking a look at makes an attempt significantly by China, to meddle in democratic establishments and affect society.
TikTok has vowed to problem the U.S. regulation in court docket, which it calls “unconstitutional.”
Trudeau was coy when requested whether or not he would assist the same transfer in Canada.
“I’m not going to comment on what other governments are doing. What I will say is Canada will continue to look very closely at how we can make sure we’re keeping Canadians safe,” mentioned the prime minister in Oakville, Ont.
While Singh mentioned he needs “guarantees that Canadians are protected when they use any social media platform.”
But safety consultants have lengthy warned Canada has been gradual to take the specter of China critically.
“Canada has always been a follower of these matters, both as a middle power and in terms of taking its cues,” Queen’s University professor and defence professional Christian Leuprecht instructed Global News.
Under Chinese regulation, TikTok’s father or mother firm could possibly be required to share information with the state, one thing Leuprecht warns could allow Beijing to “influence” Canadian voters.
“[China] plays the long game,” mentioned Leuprecht.
“It would allow for a very fine-grained understanding of, Canadian, U.S., North American society. If you’re able to track that data over a matter of 10 or 20 years. So this is a long-term investment by TikTok and the Communist Party of China.”
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
