CSIS, Trudeau warns Canadians about privacy issues from TikTok

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged Canadians to listen to the director of CSIS as he raises the alarm about the social media app TikTok, which he says poses a threat to privacy and data security.

Trudeau would not say whether the government plans to ban Canadians from using the app, something the U.S. is considering after lawmakers there ordered TikTok's Chinese owners to sell the social media app or risk it the app is banned.

Moncton-based cybersecurity expert Scott Beck has warned of privacy and data issues with foreign apps like TikTok and believes many users don't understand the extent to which they are giving away information when they download software like them.

“I've been speaking out against using TikTok for a while now, but the problem is that it's really fun and can be very addictive,” Beck said. He says it's time to talk about the risks to privacy, so everyone is aware.

“The fact that CSIS is now sounding the alarm should give everyone pause,” Beck said. “What did CSIS see in the data?”

Before taking drastic measures, Trudeau says the government will wait to see how the Chinese company responds to pressure put on them by the US