By Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Nov 5: The Government of Canada has, in a bid to enhance data security and protect its government networks, banned the use of the Chinese messaging application WeChat and the Russian antivirus program Kaspersky on government-issued mobile devices. The decision comes following a comprehensive assessment by Canada’s chief information officer, which revealed an “unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security” associated with these applications. The ban was officially announced by the Treasury Board of Canada, which oversees public administration.
In a statement issued on October 30, the Treasury Board said it found that WeChat, owned by Tencent, and applications created by Moscow-based Kaspersky, posed significant risks to the privacy and security of government-issued mobile devices. While the government clarified that there was no evidence of government information being compromised, it highlighted that the collection methods of these applications grant extensive access to a device’s contents, making them unsuitable for use on such devices.
The Treasury Board’s statement underlined the government’s commitment to maintaining the security of government of Canada networks and data, aligning with the practices of its international partners. As a result, the decision to remove and block WeChat and Kaspersky from government-issued mobile devices aims to ensure that sensitive information remains secure and protected.
China’s Foreign Ministry responded to the ban, accusing the Canadian government of taking action against Chinese enterprises without concrete evidence and using the pretext of data security. A spokesperson for the ministry, Wang Wenbin, characterized the ban as an abuse of national power and an unfair suppression of enterprise activities in specific countries. The Chinese government urged Canada to set aside ideological biases, adhere to market economy principles, and offer a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises.
Under the ban, WeChat and Kaspersky applications will be removed from government-issued mobile devices starting on Monday, and users will be prevented from downloading them in the future. This move follows Canada’s previous decision to ban TikTok, a short video app owned by the Chinese company Bytedance, from government-issued devices earlier this year, citing similar concerns related to privacy and security.
India took a similar step in June 2020 when it banned nearly 60 Chinese mobile apps, including WeChat and TikTok, citing national security concerns. India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology had expressed concerns about data being “stolen and surreptitiously transmitted” to servers outside India, which could compromise the country’s sovereignty and integrity.
