Canadian Probe Finds TikTok Failing to Adequately Protect Children’s Data
TikTok has been accused of failing to effectively prevent children under 13 from using its platform and of collecting sensitive personal data from young users, according to a new investigation by Canadian privacy authorities.
The report, released on Thursday by Canada’s privacy commissioner Philippe Dufresne and regional privacy protection officials, found that hundreds of thousands of children across the country use TikTok each year despite the company’s minimum age requirement. The probe revealed that the app collected large volumes of sensitive information, which was then used for targeted advertising and personalized content.
“This data is being used to shape the content and ads users see, which can have harmful effects, particularly on young people,” Dufresne said at a press briefing.
The investigation concluded that TikTok’s current safeguards to keep children off the platform and protect their privacy are “insufficient.” In response, the company has agreed to strengthen its measures, including providing clearer disclosures about how user data is collected and utilized.
TikTok, however, pushed back on parts of the report. A spokesperson said the company “welcomes the investigation” and confirmed that officials had approved several proposals to improve the platform’s privacy practices in Canada. “While we disagree with some of the findings, we remain committed to transparency and strong privacy protections,” the spokesperson added, without specifying which findings were disputed.
This investigation adds to growing global scrutiny of TikTok. Governments worldwide have raised concerns about the app’s data practices and its links to China, where parent company ByteDance is headquartered. Both TikTok and Chinese authorities have repeatedly denied allegations of misuse or threats to national security.
In 2023, the European Commission banned staff from installing TikTok on official devices to protect sensitive data. Meanwhile, in the US, President Donald Trump has been engaged in negotiations with Chinese President Xi Jinping over a possible deal that could transfer TikTok’s American operations to a consortium of US companies.
Canadian authorities have not announced any enforcement actions yet but emphasized that ensuring online privacy, particularly for young users, remains a top priority.
