Canada Bans WeChat and Kaspersky Apps on Government Devices Over Security Concerns

 Canada Bans WeChat and Kaspersky Apps on Government Devices Over Security Concerns. Canada has extended its ban on the Chinese super-app WeChat to official government devices, citing cybersecurity risks.

Highlights:

• WeChat and the Kaspersky suite of applications present an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security.

• WeChat is a widely popular app globally, often described as a combination of Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and PayPal.

• Canada's decision to ban WeChat and TikTok from government devices aligns with concerns voiced by US and allied officials regarding data privacy and potential data access requests by the Chinese government.

 The decision follows a similar move earlier this year when the Canadian government banned the short-form video app TikTok from government-issued mobile devices. The ban, which was announced and implemented on the same day, also covers applications developed by Kaspersky Lab, a Russian company known for its antivirus programs.
 

The Treasury Board of Canada, responsible for public administration, stated that the Chief Information Officer had determined that "WeChat and the Kaspersky suite of applications present an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security." According to the statement, both applications, when installed on a mobile device, gain "considerable access" to the device's contents. However, no evidence of government information compromise was reported. Users of Canadian government mobile phones will have these apps removed and will be prevented from downloading them in the future.

WeChat is a widely popular app globally, often described as a combination of Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and PayPal. Over 1 billion users, primarily in mainland China, use the app for a wide range of activities, from shopping and booking services to financial transactions.

Canada's decision to ban WeChat and TikTok from government devices aligns with concerns voiced by US and allied officials regarding data privacy and potential data access requests by the Chinese government.

WeChat had faced previous bans in the US under the Trump administration, but these orders were later blocked and revoked by President Joe Biden. Unlike TikTok, WeChat's primary user base is among Chinese speakers, making it a relatively less prominent target for global governments.