Canada Implements Ban on WeChat and Kaspersky for Government Devices

Canada has banned the use of Chinese messaging application WeChat and Russian antivirus program Kaspersky on government-issued mobile devices due to privacy and security risks. The ban comes after an assessment by Canada's chief information officer, stating that these applications pose an unacceptable level of risk. The Treasury Board of Canada, which oversees public administration, has no evidence of government information being compromised but believes that the collection methods of these applications provide considerable access to device contents. The ban aims to ensure the security and protection of government networks and data, aligning with the approach of international partners.