The Province of Nova Scotia is banning the use of the TikTok social media application on government-issued mobile devices effective Wednesday, March 1.

“There is no need for the TikTok app to be on government-issued mobile devices,” said Colton LeBlanc, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services. “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.”

On a mobile device, the TikTok application’s data collection methods provide substantial access to the contents of the phone, making those who have downloaded the application more vulnerable to surveillance. There are also concerns about the legal regime that governs the information collected. There is no evidence at this time that foreign actors have compromised government information.

Quick Facts:
— on Monday, February 27, the federal government banned the use of TikTok on all federal government devices effective today, February 28; its decision was made after review of the risk to privacy and security associated with the app determined the levels of risk were too high 
— the federal government statement is available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/news/2023/02/statement-by-minister-fortier-announcing-a-ban-on-the-use-of-tiktok-on-government-mobile-devices.html

Source: Release