A joint investigation by Canadian privacy officials has concluded that TikTok’s measures to prevent children from using its platform and to safeguard their personal information are insufficient. The report raises significant concerns about the popular video-sharing app's handling of young users' data.

The investigation, led by Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne, found that hundreds of thousands of children under the age of 13 in Canada use TikTok each year, despite the platform’s official policy stating it is not intended for that age group. More critically, the probe revealed that TikTok collected sensitive personal data from "a large number" of these underage users and utilized this information for online marketing and content targeting.

Vast Data Collection with "Harmful Impacts"

At a news conference, Commissioner Dufresne emphasized the scale of data collection, stating that TikTok gathers "vast" amounts of information from all its users, including children. He warned that this practice has tangible consequences, noting, "This data is being used to target the content and ads that users see, which can have harmful impacts, particularly on youth."

The findings underscore a gap between the company's policies and the reality of its platform's use and data practices. While TikTok maintains an age restriction, the investigation suggests its mechanisms for enforcing this rule are not effective enough.

TikTok’s Response: Agreement with Reservations

In response to the investigation, TikTok has agreed to implement a number of measures to enhance child safety and data transparency on its platform for Canadian users. A company spokesperson stated that they welcomed the dialogue and that officials had "agreed to a number of our proposals to further strengthen our platform."

However, TikTok also indicated that it disputes some of the report's specific findings, saying, "While we disagree with some of the findings, we remain committed to maintaining strong transparency and privacy practices." The company did not immediately specify which conclusions it contests.

A Global Pattern of Scrutiny

The Canadian investigation is the latest in a series of regulatory challenges TikTok faces globally. Governments worldwide are increasingly scrutinizing the app, both for its data privacy practices and potential national security risks due to its Chinese ownership, which the company and Beijing consistently deny.

This scrutiny has led to concrete actions elsewhere. In 2023, the European Commission ordered its staff to remove TikTok from corporate devices to protect data and increase cybersecurity. In the United States, the app's future has been a subject of prolonged negotiation, centering on concerns similar to those raised by Canadian officials.

The agreement reached in Canada will see TikTok enhance its age verification processes and provide clearer information to users about how their data is utilized. For regulators and parents alike, the effectiveness of these new measures will be closely watched as pressure on major tech platforms to protect younger users continues to mount.