TikTok Canada has reached an agreement with the federal government that will allow its local operations to continue in the country, ending a legal dispute that began with an order to wind up TikTok’s Canadian business operations in November 2024.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly announced the decision on March 9, stating that TikTok Canada will operate under new legally binding undertakings. “Further, this decision will protect Canadian jobs, ensuring that TikTok Canada maintains a physical presence in Canada, with commitments to invest in its cultural sector,” Joly said.

Under the new undertakings, TikTok Canada will implement enhanced data security measures, including digital security gateways and privacy-enhancing technologies to control access to Canadian user data. An independent third-party monitor will audit and verify data access controls and report findings to the government. The platform will also extend eligibility for its Research Tools Program to qualified Canadian researchers.

TikTok Canada also committed to supporting Canadian content creators, cultural organizations, and training programs, with a focus on Francophone and Indigenous creators, and to providing additional funding for organizations working on online safety and digital literacy.

TikTok said it welcomes the agreement and will invest in programs supporting Canadian creators and small businesses. The platform reports that more than 16 million Canadians use TikTok monthly. Canada and other countries have scrutinized TikTok over concerns that its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, could use the app to harvest user data.

Canada’s Industry Ministry ordered TikTok to wind up its business operations in November 2024, citing national security risks. The order did not restrict users’ access to the platform or their content-creation capabilities. 

Federal Court Judge Russel Zinn set aside the order on January 21, 2026, sending the matter back to Joly for a new national security review.