Canada announces ban on Chinese messaging app WeChat on government devices Canada has announced a ban on the use of the Chinese messaging application WeChat on government devices. Western governments have concerns about the Chinese app WeChat, particularly the possibility that it could be used for spying on users. WeChat is one of the most widely used apps in the world. It is ubiquitous in China, and is also popular in Southeast Asia and among Chinese communities worldwide. According to Canadian authorities, the ban on the Chinese app will take effect immediately. President of Canada’s Treasury Board, Anita An and, said in a statement that although there is no evidence yet that the app has compromised government information, they are adopting a risk-based approach to cyber security. Canada is also taking action against Kaspersky, a cyber-security company based in Russia. Reports suggest that many security experts believe WeChat poses a major risk, similar to TikTok, but receives less attention because government employees in North America do not use it as much as TikTok. Former U.S. President Donald Trump tried to ban the app via executive order in 2020, but the move was blocked by an injunction. Stay tuned to Samaa News Live for the latest updates and analysis.
