Canada Implements Ban on WeChat and Kaspersky Apps, Citing Security Concerns

In a move to enhance cybersecurity, the Canadian government has announced a ban on the Chinese super-app WeChat and applications from Kaspersky Lab, a Russian antivirus software provider, on official government devices. The ban, which took effect immediately, follows a similar action taken against TikTok earlier this year.

The Treasury Board of Canada, which oversees public administration, stated that the chief information officer had determined that both WeChat and the Kaspersky suite of applications pose an "unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security." According to the board, the data collection methods of these apps provide substantial access to the contents of mobile devices.

WeChat, often described as a combination of WhatsApp, Facebook, Amazon, and Tinder, is one of the most widely used apps worldwide. With over 1 billion users, primarily in China, the super-app allows individuals to perform a wide range of activities, such as ordering groceries, booking classes, and making payments, all within the app itself.

Although there is no concrete evidence that government information has been compromised through WeChat, Anita Anand, the president of Canada's Treasury Board, emphasized that the decision to ban the app is part of a risk-based approach to cybersecurity. The ban applies to government mobile devices, with the apps being removed and future downloads blocked.

This ban comes after Canada had previously banned TikTok, owned by ByteDance, due to cybersecurity concerns in February. Officials from the United States and its allies have expressed worries that TikTok, or its parent company, could be compelled by the Chinese government to provide personal user information. Furthermore, a former ByteDance employee recently made claims that the Chinese Communist Party had previously accessed TikTok user data on a large scale for political purposes, an allegation that the company disputes.

WeChat, despite being one of the world's most popular apps, has received less attention from global governments compared to TikTok. This is primarily because WeChat has a stronger following among Chinese speakers. Former US President Donald Trump attempted to ban both TikTok and WeChat through executive orders in August 2020, but these measures were later blocked by an injunction. President Joe Biden subsequently revoked the executive orders issued by Trump.

The BBC has reached out to Tencent, the owner of WeChat, for comment on the ban but has yet to receive a response. CNN has also attempted to contact Tencent and Kaspersky Lab for their input on the matter. As governments continue to prioritize cybersecurity, the regulation and scrutiny surrounding popular apps like WeChat and TikTok are likely to persist.