A recent investigation by Canada’s privacy commissioner, Philippe Dufresne, has found TikTok’s measures to prevent children from using its platform and safeguard their personal information to be insufficient. Despite the company’s claim that the app is not intended for users under 13, the investigation revealed that hundreds of thousands of Canadian children utilize TikTok each year.
The investigation also indicated that TikTok has collected sensitive personal data from many Canadian minors, which has been utilized for online marketing and content targeting. Mr. Dufresne highlighted that the platform gathers considerable amounts of information from its users, including children, raising concerns about the implications of this data usage, particularly for younger audiences.
In response to the findings, TikTok has stated its intention to implement measures aimed at enhancing the safety of its platform for Canadian users, although the company disputes some of the investigation’s conclusions. A TikTok spokesperson indicated that the company welcomed the investigation and had collaborated with Canadian officials on improving the platform. However, they did not specify which findings they contested.
This investigation is part of a broader trend where governments worldwide are examining TikTok’s effects on its users and addressing national security concerns associated with the Chinese-owned app. The company and the Chinese government consistently deny any allegations regarding data misuse.
In the United States, discussions are ongoing regarding the possibility of American companies taking over TikTok’s operations. Furthermore, in 2023, the European Commission mandated that its staff remove the TikTok app from their devices to enhance data protection and cybersecurity.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gj5lqq52lo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss