Canada bans WeChat on government devices due to security concerns over potential espionage risks.
Canada has made the decision to prohibit the use of WeChat on government devices due to security concerns. WeChat, often called the “everything app,” combines features of WhatsApp, Facebook, Amazon, and Tinder in one platform. Concerns primarily revolve around the potential for the Chinese-owned app to be exploited for espionage.
WeChat is widely popular worldwide, especially in China, Southeast Asia, and among Chinese diaspora communities. Canada’s ban is immediate, but there is currently no evidence of government data compromise through WeChat, as stated by Anita Anand, the president of Canada’s Treasury Board.
The country is also taking action against the Russian cyber-security company Kaspersky, planning to remove the apps from government devices and prevent future downloads.
While TikTok has garnered attention for its security risks, many security experts view WeChat as a more significant threat. It has received less scrutiny because it is not as commonly used by government employees in North America.
Former US President Donald Trump attempted to ban WeChat by executive order in 2020, but it faced legal challenges and injunctions.
