Skip to Main content

21.68°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Oct 30, 2023 6:35 PM - The Canadian Press

Feds ban WeChat, Kaspesky apps from government-issued devices over security concerns

Share On

feds-ban-wechat-kaspesky-apps-from-government-issued-devices-over-security-concerns

The government says both apps will be removed from its devices today and users will be blocked from downloading WeChat or Kaspersky products in the future. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

The federal government is banning WeChat and Kaspersky applications from its phones over security concerns.

WeChat is a social network, messaging and payments app from Chinese company Tencent, while Kaspersky was founded by Russian entrepreneur Eugene Kaspersky and offers cybersecurity and antivirus software.

The government says both apps will be removed from its devices today and users will be blocked from downloading WeChat or Kaspersky products in the future.

It says it made the move because the chief information officer of Canada determined that the WeChat and Kaspersky apps present "an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security."

The officer says the apps' data collection methods provide considerable access to the contents of any mobile device they're on and the government wanted to ensure their networks and data remain secure.

The government says it has no evidence that information has been compromised as a result of employees using the apps.

Latest news

CanadaSep 01, 2026

Canada Appoints Indo-Canadian Investment Expert Gurinder Grewal as Invest in Canada CEO

The Canadian government has announced a major leadership change at Invest in Canada, the federal agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment, as the country looks to bring in $1 trillion in total investment over the next five years. Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed Indo-Canadian investment expert Gurinder Grewal as the new Chief Executive Officer of Invest in Canada. Grewal will serve a five-year, full-time term. At the same time, former Canadian ambassador to China Dominic Barton has been appointed Chair of the agency’s Board of Directors for a three-year, part-time

liberals-win-three-federal-byelections-strengthen-majority-government

CanadaSep 01, 2026

Liberals win three federal byelections, strengthen majority government

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party won all three federal byelections held Monday, increasing its strength in the House of Commons and securing a majority government. The most notable result came in Quebec’s Chicoutimi–Le Fjord riding, where Liberal candidate won the seat from the Conservatives. The Liberals also retained the Ontario riding of Beaches–East York and British Columbia’s North Vancouver–Capilano. The three victories bring the Liberals’ total to 173 seats in the House of Commons, according to the results provided. That is one seat above the number required to h

Nikki Sharma’s Demand from Meta: ‘Canadian Children Deserve the Same Online Protection as Kids in the US’

B.C. Attorney General Nikki Sharma has urged Meta to implement the same online safety measures in Canada that the company is introducing for children in the United States. In a statement released Monday, Sharma said Canadian children deserve the same level of online protection as children in the U.S. Under settlement agreements with U.S. states, Meta is implementing measures for users under 18, including age verification, content restrictions and features designed to reduce excessive use of its social media platforms. Sharma called on Meta to introduce these protections on its platforms in Can

nepal-tibet-flood-death-toll-rises-to-955-over-3-900-still-missing

WorldAug 31, 2026

Nepal-Tibet Flood Death Toll Rises to 955, Over 3,900 Still Missing

The death toll from the devastating floods that hit Nepal and Tibet on August 26 has risen to 955. Nepal alone has reported 939 deaths, while the number of fatalities in Tibet has reached 16. More than 3,900 people are still missing. Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry said its World Meteorological Centre had sent an email to Nepal 12 days before the floods, warning of heavy rainfall, landslides and flash floods. Nepal, however, has accused China of providing forecasts for heavy rainfall but failing to share information about snowfall, water levels, landslides and other major natural hazards

bank-of-canada-expected-to-hold-interest-rate-at-2-25-rate-hikes-possible-in-2027

CanadaAug 31, 2026

Bank of Canada Expected to Hold Interest Rate at 2.25%, Rate Hikes Possible in 2027

The Bank of Canada is expected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25% at its upcoming meeting on Wednesday, marking a seventh consecutive rate hold. The central bank has maintained the rate at 2.25% since October 2025. Financial markets and economists expect the Bank of Canada to continue with a cautious, wait-and-see approach for now as it closely monitors inflation, economic growth and uncertainty surrounding the Canada-U.S. trade relationship. However, discussions are growing about the possibility of interest rate increases next year as the ongoing trade war could put addit

Related News

Canada Appoints Indo-Canadian Investment Expert Gurinder Grewal as Invest in Canada CEO

Canada Appoints Indo-Canadian Investment Expert Gurinder Grewal as Invest in Canada CEO

The Canadian government has announced a major leadership change at Invest in Canada, the federal agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment, as the country looks to bring in $1 trillion in total investment over the next five years. Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed Indo-Canadian investment expert Gurinder Grewal as the new Chief Executive Officer of Invest in Canada. Grewal will serve a five-year, full-time term. At the same time, former Canadian ambassador to China Dominic Barton has been appointed Chair of the agency’s Board of Directors for a three-year, part-time

Liberals win three federal byelections, strengthen majority government

Liberals win three federal byelections, strengthen majority government

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party won all three federal byelections held Monday, increasing its strength in the House of Commons and securing a majority government. The most notable result came in Quebec’s Chicoutimi–Le Fjord riding, where Liberal candidate won the seat from the Conservatives. The Liberals also retained the Ontario riding of Beaches–East York and British Columbia’s North Vancouver–Capilano. The three victories bring the Liberals’ total to 173 seats in the House of Commons, according to the results provided. That is one seat above the number required to h

Bank of Canada Expected to Hold Interest Rate at 2.25%, Rate Hikes Possible in 2027

Bank of Canada Expected to Hold Interest Rate at 2.25%, Rate Hikes Possible in 2027

The Bank of Canada is expected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25% at its upcoming meeting on Wednesday, marking a seventh consecutive rate hold. The central bank has maintained the rate at 2.25% since October 2025. Financial markets and economists expect the Bank of Canada to continue with a cautious, wait-and-see approach for now as it closely monitors inflation, economic growth and uncertainty surrounding the Canada-U.S. trade relationship. However, discussions are growing about the possibility of interest rate increases next year as the ongoing trade war could put addit

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital