Canada has made an official announcement regarding the ban of WeChat on government devices due to concerns over the Chinese-owned application’s potential security risks.

Often referred to as the “everything app” for its diverse range of features, WeChat combines elements of WhatsApp, Facebook, Amazon, and Tinder in a single platform.

However, Western governments have raised apprehensions about the app’s potential for espionage.

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WeChat, owned by Tencent, stands as one of the most widely used applications globally, particularly in China and Southeast Asia, as well as among Chinese diaspora communities.

Canada’s ban on the app is effective immediately.

Anita Anand, the president of Canada’s Treasury Board, clarified that there is currently no evidence of government information being compromised through WeChat.

However, she emphasized a “risk-based approach to cybersecurity” as the rationale for removing access to the app on government mobile devices.

In addition to the WeChat ban, Canada is also taking measures against the Russia-based cybersecurity company, Kaspersky.

Government users will have both WeChat and Kaspersky apps removed, and they will be prevented from downloading them in the future.

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Although TikTok has received substantial attention for potential security concerns, experts in the field often view WeChat as posing a more significant threat.

WeChat’s lower visibility in North American government employee usage, as compared to TikTok, has contributed to its somewhat lower profile in security discussions.