McGill University Implements Ban on WeChat Across School-Owned Devices

In a decisive move, McGill University announced on November 16 that it is prohibiting the installation and use of the Chinese social media platform WeChat on all devices owned or managed by the university. This ban extends to desktop and laptop computers, mobile phones, and tablets. The immediate implementation of this measure also requires individuals with devices already having the app installed to promptly delete it.

While the university does not restrict individuals from using WeChat on personal devices, it strongly advises against accessing or storing sensitive university data, including internal communications, emails, personal information, student or employee records, or passwords on devices with WeChat installed.

The decision aligns with the Government of Canada’s October 30 announcement, banning WeChat from all government-issued devices to safeguard government information and ensure network security. Subsequently, on November 3, the Government of Quebec issued a directive prohibiting the application’s use on devices owned by Quebec public institutions.

Concordia University, another Quebec-based institution, also implemented a similar ban on WeChat on November 14. Concordia’s restriction extends to personal devices with contracts partially or fully paid for by the university, all devices funded by research grants, and any devices used to access Concordia-owned internet services.

The university’s warnings regarding Chinese mobile applications like WeChat echo global concerns about their security risks and their utilization by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for control and surveillance, particularly on ethnic and religious minorities.

A 2022 report titled “National Cyber Threat Assessment 2023-2024” issued by the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security highlighted the involvement of China and other malign state actors in cyber threat activities targeting Canadians. WeChat, in particular, was noted for its role in spreading “misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation” (MDM), targeting linguistic minorities and diaspora communities in Canada.

The report underscored the platform’s use in influencing these groups to align with their country of origin’s policies. WeChat, known for its widespread use globally, has been utilized to spread MDM and propaganda specific to the Chinese diaspora, raising concerns about threats extending to dissidents of the authoritarian regime.

The ban on WeChat follows previous prohibitions, such as the federal government’s ban on TikTok in February. David Lieber, head of TikTok’s privacy public policy for the Americas, informed MPs in October that the parent company, ByteDance, has access to user data, but denied confirmation on whether the CCP could access the data under the National Intelligence Law.

McGill University reiterated its compliance with the government directive in banning TikTok from any devices provided by the institution, a measure initiated in February 2023. The university’s proactive stance reflects growing global apprehensions regarding the security implications of Chinese social media platforms.