Canada Prohibits Use of Chinese App WeChat on Official Devices

The Canadian government has announced its decision to ban WeChat on government devices due to security concerns. WeChat, a Chinese-owned application often referred to as the "everything app," combines features of various popular apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, Amazon, and Tinder. However, Western governments worry that the app may be used to spy on its users. The BBC has reached out to Tencent, the company that owns WeChat, for comment but has not received a response yet. WeChat is extensively used worldwide, particularly in China, Southeast Asia, and Chinese diaspora communities. Despite the ban, there is currently no evidence that government information has been compromised through WeChat, as stated by Anita Anand, the president of Canada's Treasury Board. Canada is also taking actions against the Russia-based cyber-security firm Kaspersky, where users will have the apps removed and future downloads will be blocked. While TikTok has received significant attention regarding security risks, many experts believe that WeChat poses a more significant threat. Former US President Donald Trump attempted to ban the app in 2020 but faced legal obstruction.