Canada: TikTok Inadequately Protected Kids' Sensitive Data

Canada's investigation of TikTok found inadequate measures to prevent collection and use of kids’ sensitive personal information, said Canadian Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne on Tuesday. The national privacy regulator said it jointly investigated the social media platform with provincial privacy commissioners for Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia.

“Even though the company has stated that its platform is not intended for people under the age of 13, the investigation found that hundreds of thousands of Canadian children access TikTok’s platform each year -- and that TikTok has been collecting and using their personal information,” Dufresne's office said. Also, investigators “found that TikTok did not adequately explain its data practices to teen and adult users, nor did it obtain meaningful consent for the collection and use of vast amounts of user data, including sensitive data of younger users, as required under Canadian privacy laws.”

In response, TikTok agreed to strengthen privacy communications so that users better understand how their data could be used for targeted ads, personalized content and other things, said the commissioner’s office. Also, TikTok agreed to enhance age-assurance methods and provide more privacy information in French.

“The joint investigation led TikTok to propose tangible measures to better protect the privacy of young people,” said Dufresne. “I ask digital companies not to wait for direct intervention by regulators before assuming their responsibilities.”

TikTok didn’t comment.