Canadian Regulators Report TikTok's Child Privacy Measures Inadequate, Prompting App's Planned Enhancements

Canadian privacy authorities, including the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and counterparts in Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta, launched a joint investigation into TikTok's data collection practices concerning children. The investigation found that despite TikTok's policy prohibiting users under 13, hundreds of thousands of children in Canada access the platform annually, and their personal information is collected and used for targeted advertising and content personalization. The privacy watchdogs criticized TikTok's efforts to keep underage users off the platform and to secure valid consent as inadequate. In response, TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, has agreed to enhance its age-verification methods and improve communication about its data collection and privacy practices, especially aimed at younger users. These findings come amid broader concerns about data security and privacy involving TikTok and its Chinese ownership, which are subject to national security laws. The Canadian authorities emphasize the need for TikTok to better protect children’s data and ensure meaningful consent regarding its use.