TikTok ban in effect at Conestoga College, no decision yet from UW and WLU
The TikTok ban continues to gain momentum here in Waterloo region and throughout the province.
Ontario announced Thursday that the social media app must be removed from all government-issued devices, and Progressive Conservative caucus members will do the same on their personal devices.
Conestoga College, based in Kitchener, said it too would be banning the TikTok app on its devices, including computers, tablets and mobile phones. They have also suspended TikTok accounts associated with the school.
Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo told CTV News in separate emails that they were closely monitoring the situation.
The bans are in response to growing concerns about privacy, as well as data and security risks.
The social media app, owned by the China-based tech giant ByteDance, is currently under investigation by federal and provincial privacy authorities over its collection and use of personal information.
Conestoga College is just the latest organization to ban TikTok.
On Tuesday, members of the Waterloo Regional Police Service were directed to delete the app from their phones.
The Guelph Police Service has made a similar request to its members.
The cities of Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge and Guelph are also reviewing their own policies surrounding the app.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP arrest suspect in Montreal on terrorism allegations after tip from FBI
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrested an 18-year-old man from the Saint-Laurent borough of Montreal on Thursday morning in connection with allegations of terrorism.

Largest recorded Alberta earthquake not natural, from oilsands wastewater: study
The largest recorded earthquake in Alberta's history was not a natural event, but most likely caused by disposal of oilsands wastewater, new research has concluded.
Via Rail revisiting inclusion policies after Muslim man told not to pray at Ottawa station
Via Rail says it is working to improve its diversity and inclusion policies after a Muslim man was told not to pray at the Ottawa train station.
Upgrading Safe Third Country Agreement about reassuring Canadians: PM Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he feels it is his role to see the Safe Third Country Agreement upgraded, in order to make sure Canadians can continue to have confidence in Canada's immigration system.
Manhattan DA rejects GOP demand for info on Trump case
The Manhattan district attorney investigating Donald Trump rebuffed U.S. House Republicans' request Thursday for documents and testimony about the case, dismissing it as an "unprecedented inquiry" with no legitimate basis.
Zellers opens a dozen stores in Canada amid wave of nostalgia and price sensitivity
Canadian retail chain Zellers marked its official comeback on Thursday, opening a dozen stores in Ontario and Alberta and launching a new website.
South Carolina's top accountant to resign after US$3.5-billion error
Embattled South Carolina Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom will resign next month after a US$3.5 billion accounting error in the year-end financial report he oversaw.
Han Dong resigns from Liberal caucus, denies interference allegations
Han Dong has announced he will be sitting as an independent MP after being the subject of allegations involving interference by China in Canadian affairs.
Canada-wide warrants issued for 2 new suspects in Elnaz Hajtamiri investigation
Investigators with York Regional Police issued Canada-wide warrants for two men who they say are involved in the Richmond Hill attack on Ontario woman Elnaz Hajtamiri weeks before she was allegedly abducted.