Guelph, Kitchener to review TikTok policies in wake of Canadian ban on federal devices
At least two municipalities in southwestern Ontario are now reviewing the use of the app TikTok on city-issued devices.
It comes after the federal government announced it would block TikTok its mobile devices as of Tuesday.
On Monday, Global Affairs Canada sent a memo to employees saying it was banning TikTok from all government-issued mobile devices because the app may leave users vulnerable to cyber attacks.
On Tuesday, The City of Guelph and the City of Kitchener both told CTV News officials are starting to review their own policies surrounding the app.
“The City of Guelph is in the process of completing an internal review and plans to make a decision regarding the situation within the week,” Guelph's general manager of information technology Adam Fischer said in an email.
“We want to ensure that we take the needed steps, to make informed, evidence-based decisions, and we will only do so after a fulsome review of the situation.”
Meanwhile, staff over at the City of Kitchener said they are reviewing the risks and how the app is used before they determine next steps.
Both of the cities don't currently use TikTok for any public communications.
Guelph MPP and Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner was asked about the federal government's decision on Tuesday.
"I know the party has a TikTok account," said Schreiner. "We'll certainly be reviewing all of our security protocols."
The move to ban TikTok from Government of Canada devices was also a hot topic at Queen's Park.
"If there are risks to our security, then that's an appropriate move," said John Fraser, the interim leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.
The Ontario government also says it is reviewing whether it will ban TikTok on all provincial government devices. There is no timeline for that decision.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump picks Brooke Rollins to be agriculture secretary
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Brooke Rollins, president of the America First Policy Institute, to be agriculture secretary.
Walking pneumonia is surging in Canada. Is this unusual?
CTVNews.ca spoke with various medical experts to find out the latest situation with the typically mild walking pneumonia in their area and whether parents should be worried.
Lotto Max jackpot climbs to $80M, tying record for largest prize
The Lotto Max jackpot has climbed to $80 million for just the second time in Canadian lottery history.
Retiring? Here's how to switch from saving for your golden years to spending
The last paycheque from a decades-long career arrives next Friday and the nest egg you built during those working years will now turn into a main source of income. It can be a jarring switch from saving for retirement to spending in retirement.
Joly, Blair condemn anti-NATO protest in Montreal that saw fires, smashed windows
Federal cabinet ministers condemned an anti-NATO protest in Montreal that turned violent on Friday, saying 'hatred and antisemitism' were on display, but protesters deny the claim, saying they demonstrated against the 'complicity' of NATO member countries in a war that has killed thousands of Palestinians.
Police thought this gnome looked out of place. Then they tested it for drugs
During a recent narcotics investigation, Dutch police said they found a garden gnome made of approximately two kilograms of MDMA.
'Her shoe got sucked into the escalator': Toronto family warns of potential risk of wearing Crocs
A Toronto family is speaking out after their 10-year-old daughter's Crocs got stuck in an escalator, ripping the entire toe area of the clog off.
Canada's top general takes on U.S. senator in defending womens' role in combat units
Canada's top general firmly rejected the notion of dropping women from combat roles -- a position promoted by president-elect Donald Trump's nominee for defence secretary -- at a security forum underway in Halifax on Saturday.
Ottawa driver fined for hauling thousands of empty cans in trunk of car
Ontario Provincial Police stopped an Ottawa man for dangerously hauling thousands of empty cans from the back of his car.