The chief of Canada's Security Intelligence Service cautioned the people against the use of TikTok stating that the data the application obtains from its users is "available to the government of China."&nbsp;

"My answer as director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) is that there is a very clear strategy on the part of the government of China to be able to acquire personal information from anyone around the world," CBC News quoted CSIS Director David Vigneault as saying.

TikTok spokesperson in response said, that "these assertions are unsupported by evidence, and the fact is that TikTok has never shared Canadian user data with the Chinese government, nor would we if asked."

Earlier, in September last year, Canada ordered a national security review of a proposal that was put forward by TikTok to expand the short-form video hosting application's business in the country.

Vigneault said that he would also take part in the proposal's review and subsequently offer advice, reported CBC.

"We will continue to engage with Canadian officials and would welcome the opportunity to meet with CSIS to discuss how we protect the privacy and security of Canadians," the spokesperson added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tiktok-to-adopt-new-tech-aimed-at-labelling-ai-generated-images-719820">Also read: TikTok to adopt new tech aimed at labelling AI-generated images</a>

<h2>TikTok, ByteDance challenge potential US ban in court</h2>

This comes after TikTok and its parent firm ByteDance earlier this month filed a legal challenge against the US targeting a bill signed by President Joe Biden that would push the app to either face a ban in the United States or to be sold.

The development came almost two weeks after Biden passed a law giving the popular short-form video hosting service an ultimatum of 270 days to find a non-Chinese buyer or face a ban in the country.

TikTok argues that the bill signed by the US president was unconstitutional.

"For the first time in history, Congress has enacted a law that subjects a single, named speech platform to a permanent, nationwide ban, and bars every American from participating in a unique online community with more than one billion people worldwide," said the suit by TikTok and ByteDance.

The lawsuit by the firm and the short-video sharing platform alleges that the move violates the First Amendment, charging that "Congress has made a law curtailing massive amounts of protected speech."

It further stated that the divestiture demanded for the short video app for it to be functional in the country is "simply not possible".

(With inputs from agencies)

The chief of Canada's Security Intelligence Service cautioned the people against the use of TikTok stating that the data the application obtains from its users is "available to the government of China.

The chief of Canada's Security Intelligence Service cautioned the people against the use of TikTok stating that the data the application obtains from its users is "available to the government of China." "My answer as director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) is that there is a very clear strategy on the part of the government of China to be able to acquire personal information from anyone around the world," CBC News quoted CSIS Director David Vigneault as saying. TikTok spokesperson in response said, that "these assertions are unsupported by evidence, and the fact is that TikTok has never shared Canadian user data with the Chinese government, nor would we if asked." Earlier, in September last year, Canada ordered a national security review of a proposal that was put forward by TikTok to expand the short-form video hosting application's business in the country. Vigneault said that he would also take part in the proposal's review and subsequently offer advice, reported CBC. "We will continue to engage with Canadian officials and would welcome the opportunity to meet with CSIS to discuss how we protect the privacy and security of Canadians," the spokesperson added. Also read: TikTok to adopt new tech aimed at labelling AI-generated images TikTok, ByteDance challenge potential US ban in court This comes after TikTok and its parent firm ByteDance earlier this month filed a legal challenge against the US targeting a bill signed by President Joe Biden that would push the app to either face a ban in the United States or to be sold. The development came almost two weeks after Biden passed a law giving the popular short-form video hosting service an ultimatum of 270 days to find a non-Chinese buyer or face a ban in the country. TikTok argues that the bill signed by the US president was unconstitutional. "For the first time in history, Congress has enacted a law that subjects a single, named speech platform to a permanent, nationwide ban, and bars every American from participating in a unique online community with more than one billion people worldwide," said the suit by TikTok and ByteDance. The lawsuit by the firm and the short-video sharing platform alleges that the move violates the First Amendment, charging that "Congress has made a law curtailing massive amounts of protected speech." It further stated that the divestiture demanded for the short video app for it to be functional in the country is "simply not possible". (With inputs from agencies)

China may use data from TikTok to spy on people, warns Canada’s security intelligence chief

A report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) newspaper has claimed that Chinese nationals, sometimes posing as tourists, have been spying on US military bases and other sensitive sites in recent years.

The report published on Sunday (Sept 3) further states, quoting senior US officials, that it has occurred more than 100 times in recent years.

A joint meeting was convened by the Defence Department, FBI and other agencies last year to try to limit these incidents that involved “gatecrashers” because of their attempts to get into US military bases without proper authorisation, the WSJ report said.

Examples of “gatercrashing” included Chinese crossing into a US missile range in New Mexico, and scuba divers swimming in murky waters near a US government rocket launch site in Florida, the report said.

<h2>Spying on sensitive US&nbsp;sites</h2>

The report said that some other incidents involved people following Google Maps directions to a McDonald's or Burger King located on military bases.&nbsp;Other more serious instances include a group of Chinese nationals trying to push past guards at an army base in Alaska, claiming they had reservations at a hotel on the base.

US officials believe that these trespassing incidents are linked to a more detailed plan to spy on sensitive US sites.

Most of these incidents happened in rural areas, where the tourism flow is a little low— areas not recognised as tourist hot spots and located far away from major airports—leading the officials to believe that they are not tourists.

<h2>Officials yet to respond</h2>

The report further said that the involved Chinese nationals were pressed into service and required to report back to the Chinese government.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-launches-fresh-attacks-on-odesa-port-region-ukraine-fights-back-632124">Russia launches fresh attacks on Odesa port region, Ukraine fights back</a>

The US&nbsp;Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the WSJ report.

The report comes at a time when Washington and Beijing are taking tentative steps to soothe tensions that spiked after a suspected Chinese high-altitude spy balloon crossed the United States before the US&nbsp;military shot it down off the East Coast&nbsp;in&nbsp;February.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-disappointed-as-chinas-xi-skips-g20-summit-heres-when-they-could-meet-next-632076">Joe Biden ‘disappointed’ as China’s Xi skips G20 summit, here’s when they could meet next</a>

Last month, China’s state security ministry&nbsp;announced the arrest&nbsp;of a Chinese national for allegedly spying on behalf of the CIA.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) newspaper has claimed that Chinese nationals, sometimes posing as tourists, have been spying on US military bases and other sensitive sites in recent years.

A report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) newspaper has claimed that Chinese nationals, sometimes posing as tourists, have been spying on US military bases and other sensitive sites in recent years. The report published on Sunday (Sept 3) further states, quoting senior US officials, that it has occurred more than 100 times in recent years. A joint meeting was convened by the Defence Department, FBI and other agencies last year to try to limit these incidents that involved “gatecrashers” because of their attempts to get into US military bases without proper authorisation, the WSJ report said. Examples of “gatercrashing” included Chinese crossing into a US missile range in New Mexico, and scuba divers swimming in murky waters near a US government rocket launch site in Florida, the report said. Spying on sensitive US sites The report said that some other incidents involved people following Google Maps directions to a McDonald's or Burger King located on military bases. Other more serious instances include a group of Chinese nationals trying to push past guards at an army base in Alaska, claiming they had reservations at a hotel on the base. US officials believe that these trespassing incidents are linked to a more detailed plan to spy on sensitive US sites. Most of these incidents happened in rural areas, where the tourism flow is a little low— areas not recognised as tourist hot spots and located far away from major airports—leading the officials to believe that they are not tourists. Officials yet to respond The report further said that the involved Chinese nationals were pressed into service and required to report back to the Chinese government. Also read | Russia launches fresh attacks on Odesa port region, Ukraine fights back The US Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the WSJ report. The report comes at a time when Washington and Beijing are taking tentative steps to soothe tensions that spiked after a suspected Chinese high-altitude spy balloon crossed the United States before the US military shot it down off the East Coast in February. Also read | Joe Biden ‘disappointed’ as China’s Xi skips G20 summit, here’s when they could meet next Last month, China’s state security ministry announced the arrest of a Chinese national for allegedly spying on behalf of the CIA. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Chinese nationals posing as tourists and spying on US military bases, sensitive sites: Report

U.S. lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at banning the social media platform TikTok. Will the U.S. succeed this time?

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