Khaberni -TikTok is attempting to discuss security solutions with Canada that would prevent the imminent decision to shut down its operations in the country.
Steve D’Ayer, TikTok's Director of Government Affairs in Canada, stated in an interview that the company's appeals have not been heard so far, adding: "We are still looking forward to reaching the negotiation table," according to Bloomberg.
This month, TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, began freezing spending on cultural programs and sponsorships, following a directive issued in November to close its Canadian unit, which cited national security concerns, according to a report seen by "Al Arabiya Business".
TikTok's app will remain available on app stores for Canadians after the closure.
D'Ayer said, "Time is running out," although the company declined to disclose the deadline given by Canadian authorities. The company has challenged the shutdown order in court.
Shou Zi Chew, CEO of TikTok, sent a letter on July 2nd to Canadian Industry Minister Melanie Joly requesting an urgent and personal meeting within the next two weeks.
According to a copy of the letter reviewed by Bloomberg, the company's president wrote: "The liquidation process is quickly approaching a critical juncture where, unless you intervene, TikTok will be forced to lay off all its Canadian employees," in addition to stopping investment and support for creators.
D'Ayer confirmed the contents of the letter, stating that the company had not yet received an official response.
In other countries where TikTok has faced similar concerns, its parent company established systems to block user data from being sent to China. These systems were named "Project Texas" in the United States and "Project Clover" in the European Union.
When asked whether TikTok had proposed a similar project to Canada, he said, "That may be the case," adding: "But we need to sit together, understand Canada's concerns, and want to build a solution that provides greater data security, oversight, and accountability where these concerns exist."
In the United Kingdom, "TikTok" enlisted a British company to review its data protection controls and procedures in an effort to alleviate concerns.
"TikTok" currently says it stores the data of Canadian users in the United States, Ireland, Singapore, and Malaysia, and the company disclosed that it has paid 340 million Canadian dollars (248 million USD) in taxes in Canada between 2019 and 2024, employs about 350 people in Toronto and Vancouver, and has 14 million Canadian users.
D’Ayer said that the ban decision was made by a previous government, led by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, "at a different time," and that things have changed in the United States, where President Donald Trump postponed issuing a broader order for ByteDance to sell the app or shut it down. Last month, Trump said he found a buyer for its operations in the United States.
