The head of Canada’s security intelligence agency warns that China could use TikTok to spy on users, CBC reports

The head of Canada’s security intelligence agency warned Canadians against using the video app TikTok, saying data from its users is “available to the Chinese government,” CBC News reported Friday.

“My response as director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) is that there is a very clear strategy on the part of the Chinese government to be able to obtain personal information from anyone around the world,” CSIS Director David Vigneault told CBC. in an interview that will air Saturday.

“These claims are not supported by evidence, and the fact is that TikTok has never shared Canadian user data with the Chinese government, nor would we if asked,” a TikTok spokesperson said in response to a request for comment .

Canada in September ordered a national security review of a proposal by TikTok to expand the short-video app’s operations in the country. Vigneault said he will participate in that review and provide guidance, CBC reported.

“We will continue to work with Canadian officials and would welcome the opportunity to meet with CSIS to discuss how we protect the privacy and security of Canadians,” the spokesperson added.

TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance filed a lawsuit and opened a new tab in U.S. federal court this month to block a law signed by President Joe Biden that would divest the short-form video app used by 170 million Americans , would enforce or prohibit.

The law, which was signed by Biden on April 24, gives ByteDance until January 19 to sell TikTok or face a ban. The White House has said it wants Chinese ownership to stop for national security reasons, but not a ban on TikTok.