Ottawa: TikTok has won temporary relief in Canada after a federal court overturned a government order that sought to shut down its operations. The ruling, issued on January 21, 2026, allows the app to continue running while the case undergoes a fresh national security review.

Canada’s industry ministry had directed TikTok to dissolve its business in November 2024, citing security concerns. The ministry clarified at the time that users could still access the app and create content. TikTok, which says it has more than 14 million monthly users in Canada, challenged the decision in court.

Judge Russel Zinn set aside the ban and referred the matter back to Industry Minister Melanie Joly. The ministry confirmed Joly will now conduct a new review but declined to comment further due to confidentiality rules.

TikTok welcomed the judgment, saying it looks forward to cooperating with the government. Owned by China’s ByteDance, the app has faced scrutiny in Canada and other countries over fears that user data could be exploited for political or strategic purposes.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has been working to strengthen ties with China to offset economic damage from U.S. tariffs, adding political weight to the debate over TikTok’s future.

The app has already faced regulatory challenges. In September 2025, TikTok agreed to improve safeguards for children after investigators found its protections for minors and personal data were inadequate.

For now, TikTok remains active in Canada, but its long-term status will depend on the outcome of the government’s renewed security review.