Canada Implements Ban on Chinese Messaging App WeChat and Russian Antivirus Program Kaspersky

The Canadian government has announced a ban on Chinese messaging application WeChat and Russian antivirus program Kaspersky from government-issued mobile devices. The ban is due to privacy and security risks associated with these apps, although the government states that no government information has been compromised.

The decision was made following an assessment by Canada’s chief information officer, who concluded that WeChat, owned by Tencent, and Kaspersky apps pose an “unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security.” The Treasury Board of Canada, responsible for public administration, released a statement affirming this assessment.

Kaspersky has expressed surprise and disappointment over the decision, stating that it was made without prior warning or an opportunity for the company to address the government’s concerns. The company emphasizes that there has been no evidence or due process justifying the ban and accuses it of being a response to the geopolitical climate rather than an evaluation of the integrity of its products and services.

WeChat has not yet responded to the ban.

The Treasury Board affirms that, while there is no evidence of compromised government information, the collection methods of these applications provide significant access to the contents of a device and the risks involved are evident.

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The ban on WeChat and Kaspersky apps is part of the government’s efforts to ensure the security and protection of government networks and data, aligning with the approach of international partners.

The applications will be removed from government-issued mobile devices, and users will be blocked from downloading them in the future.

Canada had previously banned Chinese-owned short-video app TikTok from government devices in February, citing privacy and security concerns.