Canadian privacy authorities have reached an agreement with TikTok to improve protections for children after a joint investigation found the platform’s current measures inadequate.
The investigation, led by Canada’s privacy commissioner Philippe Dufresne along with authorities from Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta, revealed that hundreds of thousands of Canadian children access TikTok each year, despite the platform being restricted to users aged 13 and above.
Authorities also found that TikTok collected sensitive personal data from a large number of children and used it for marketing and content targeting. Dufresne noted, “TikTok collects vast amounts of personal information about its users, including children. This data is being used to target content and ads, which can have harmful impacts, particularly on youth.”
In response, TikTok has agreed to enhance its age-verification system, restrict advertiser targeting for users under 18, and expand privacy information available to Canadians. A company spokesperson emphasized their commitment to transparency and privacy, while noting disagreement with some findings.
The Canadian investigation adds to growing global scrutiny of TikTok over data security concerns. Governments, including the EU and the U.S., have taken steps to limit the app on official devices, amid fears China could access user data. TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is also challenging Ottawa’s order to end its Canadian operations due to national security concerns.
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