TikTok has agreed to tighten protections for young users after a Canadian investigation concluded that the platform failed to prevent children from accessing its app and did not adequately safeguard their personal information. The findings were announced Tuesday by federal privacy commissioner Philippe Dufresne alongside provincial privacy authorities from Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta.
The joint inquiry revealed that hundreds of thousands of Canadian children accessed TikTok each year despite the company’s policy stating the app is not intended for anyone under 13. More troubling, investigators found TikTok had collected sensitive personal details from “a large number” of Canadian children and used that information for marketing and content targeting.
“TikTok collects vast amounts of personal information about its users, including children. This data is being used to target the content and ads that users see, which can have harmful impacts, particularly on youth,” Dufresne said during a press conference.
What Changes Did TikTok Agree to Make?
Following the investigation, TikTok committed to improving age-assurance measures designed to block underage users. The company also promised clearer communication to ensure younger users understand how their data may be used. Advertisers will no longer be able to target Canadians under 18 except through broad categories like language and general location, and the platform will expand the privacy information available to all Canadian users.
A TikTok spokesperson responded by saying the company was pleased that commissioners accepted many of its proposals “to further strengthen” the platform in Canada. “While we disagree with some of the findings, we remain committed to maintaining strong transparency and privacy practices,” the spokesperson said, without clarifying which parts it opposed.
Why Is TikTok Facing Global Scrutiny?
Canada’s decision adds to growing international concern about TikTok’s data practices. The European Union’s top institutions have already banned the app from staff devices, and the U.S. Senate passed legislation barring federal employees from using it on government-owned phones. In Canada, the federal government escalated its own review in 2023, ordering TikTok to halt its Canadian operations over national security concerns. The company is currently challenging that order.
The investigation highlights the ongoing clash between TikTok’s popularity and the mounting efforts by regulators worldwide to protect privacy, particularly for young users.
By Yockshard Enyendi
