Canada prohibits the use of the Chinese app WeChat on government devices

Canada’s government has made an official declaration to prohibit the use of WeChat, the Chinese-owned application often dubbed the “everything app” due to its multifaceted functions, encompassing features reminiscent of WhatsApp, Facebook, Amazon, and Tinder within a single platform. Western governments have expressed apprehensions about potential security risks associated with the app, primarily focusing on the potential for user surveillance. The BBC has sought a comment from Tencent, the company behind WeChat, but as of now, no response has been received.

WeChat stands as one of the world’s most widely used applications, with its pervasive presence in China and popularity within Southeast Asia and among Chinese diaspora communities.

Canada’s immediate ban on WeChat is now in effect.

Despite the ban, Canada’s Treasury Board President, Anita Anand, stated that there is currently no evidence of government information compromise through the use of WeChat. She further explained, “We are adopting a risk-based approach to cybersecurity by revoking access to these applications on government mobile devices.”

Canada is also taking measures concerning the Russia-based cybersecurity company, Kaspersky. Users will have these applications removed, and future downloads will be blocked.

While TikTok has garnered considerable attention due to potential security concerns, many security experts believe that WeChat poses a more significant threat. WeChat receives less scrutiny because it is not as extensively used as TikTok among government employees in North America.

In 2020, former US President Donald Trump attempted to ban the app through an executive order, but the effort was thwarted by an injunction.