Federal court pauses order to dissolve TikTok Canada, app stays online for now
A federal court set aside Ottawa’s order to dissolve TikTok’s Canadian business and sent the matter back to Industry Minister Melanie Joly for review. The app remains accessible to users.
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By Torontoer Staff
Canada’s federal court has overturned the government’s order to dissolve TikTok’s Canadian business, allowing the short-video app to continue operating while the case is reviewed. Judge Russel Zinn set aside the November 2024 directive and sent the matter back to Industry Minister Melanie Joly, without providing reasons in the short judgment.
For users, the ruling means the app remains accessible and creators can still publish content. The decision does not resolve the underlying security concerns cited by the government when it ordered dissolution, and it leaves the next steps in the minister’s hands.
What Ottawa ordered in November
In November 2024, Innovation, Science and Industry Canada ordered TikTok’s Canadian business to be dissolved, saying the operation posed national security risks. The ministry clarified that the order did not block access to the app or stop users from creating content while the company appealed.
TikTok says it has more than 14 million monthly users in Canada. The app is owned by ByteDance Ltd, a company based in China, and governments elsewhere have expressed concern that TikTok could be used to access user data or advance foreign interests.
The court decision and what it means
Federal court judge Russel Zinn issued a brief ruling setting aside the dissolution order and remitting the file to Minister Joly for further consideration. The judgment did not include detailed reasons. The industry ministry did not immediately comment on the ruling.
We welcome the federal court’s decision and look forward to continuing our work with the minister to address her concerns, while keeping our community and employees safe, and supporting Canadian creators and businesses,
TikTok statement
Background: why Ottawa acted
The government cited national-security concerns in ordering dissolution, reflecting broader scrutiny of TikTok in Canada and other countries. Regulators and lawmakers have focused on data access, privacy practices, and the potential for foreign influence given ByteDance’s ownership.
Last September, TikTok agreed to strengthen measures to keep children off its Canadian site and app after an investigation found gaps in its protections for minors and in handling personal information.
What comes next
With the court sending the matter back to the minister, Ottawa can review the case and decide whether to issue a revised order, pursue different measures, or engage in further negotiation with TikTok. The company may also continue legal challenges. There is no set public timetable for the minister’s review.
Practical steps for users
The ruling leaves access unchanged for now, but privacy and security concerns remain. Users who want to reduce risk can take straightforward steps to tighten their account settings and limit data sharing.
- Review and restrict app permissions for location, contacts and microphone in your device settings
- Set your account to private and limit who can comment on or download your videos
- Use a strong, unique password and enable two-factor authentication where available
- Keep the app updated to ensure you have the latest security fixes
- Check and minimise the personal information on your profile
- For parents, enable Family Pairing or other parental controls to limit minors’ use
What this means for creators and businesses
Creators and small businesses that rely on TikTok for reach can continue to publish and monetize content for now. However, brands and creators should monitor developments and consider diversifying platforms to avoid disruption if new measures are imposed in future.
Agencies and businesses with significant investments on the platform may want to document content strategies and audience data to ease transitions if the regulatory picture changes.
The court’s ruling keeps TikTok online in Canada for the moment, but the legal and policy debate is ongoing. Users and creators should stay informed and take simple privacy steps to protect their data while Ottawa decides the next move.
TikTokprivacycourtMelanie JolytechnologyCanada
