TikTok accused of harvesting sensitive data of Canadian children

Tehran - BORNA - According to Reuters, a joint investigation by Canada’s federal privacy commissioner and provincial watchdogs in Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta concluded that TikTok failed to adequately protect the data of young users. Instead, investigators found the platform harvested personal information — including sensitive data belonging to children — to fuel marketing strategies and content targeting.

A platform not designed for children under 13

The report noted that hundreds of thousands of Canadian children access TikTok every year, despite the company’s policy that the app is not designed for users under 13. Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne warned that the app’s massive collection of personal information poses significant risks: “TikTok gathers vast amounts of personal data, including from children, and this can have harmful consequences for youth.”

TikTok promises reforms but disputes findings

In response, TikTok pledged to strengthen its age-verification systems, prevent direct ad targeting of users under 18, and provide Canadians with clearer disclosures about how their data is used. A company spokesperson rejected some of the investigation’s conclusions but insisted TikTok remains committed to transparency and privacy standards.

Global pattern of restrictions

Canada’s action places it alongside a growing list of countries and international institutions tightening oversight of TikTok over security and privacy fears. The European Union’s two main institutions previously banned the app from staff devices, while the U.S. Senate passed legislation prohibiting federal employees from using it.

Since 2023, Ottawa has subjected TikTok’s Canadian expansion plans to national security review. That review culminated in a government order halting the company’s operations in Canada, a decision TikTok is now challenging.

Broader implications

The Canadian probe highlights mounting pressure on TikTok to address concerns about how its algorithms and data practices impact children and young people worldwide. Analysts note that while TikTok has pledged reforms in multiple jurisdictions, regulatory bodies are increasingly skeptical about self-regulation by tech giants and are moving toward stricter enforcement.

The case is expected to fuel wider debate in Canada and beyond on digital safety, children’s privacy, and the balance between free online expression and national security.

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