A Canadian investigation has revealed that TikTok collected sensitive data on Canadian children, despite having rules to block users under 13. Privacy officials said the company’s measures to protect young users and their personal information were not strong enough.
The joint investigation was carried out by the federal Privacy Commissioner, Philippe Dufresne, along with provincial counterparts in Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta. Their findings showed that TikTok was collecting children’s personal data and using it for online marketing and content targeting. This information included dates of birth, location, device details, facial features, voiceprints, contact lists, and even behavioral data such as what children watched or liked.
Officials also found that the platform’s privacy policies were often unclear. Many users, especially young ones, did not fully understand how their data was collected, used, or profiled for advertising and recommendations. This raised concerns about consent, since children cannot always make informed choices about their personal information.
In response, TikTok has agreed to introduce new measures. The company will strengthen its age-verification methods to stop underage users from signing up. It will also limit advertiser targeting for users under 18 to broad categories such as language or general location instead of using detailed personal data. TikTok has further promised to improve transparency by providing clearer information about how data is collected and used. Privacy details will also be made easier to find and available in both English and French.
Collecting sensitive data on children poses serious risks. Privacy experts warn it can impact mental health if the content shapes young people’s self-image or identity. It also increases the chance of identity theft or other misuse of personal data. The investigation stressed that TikTok’s weak consent practices left children more vulnerable to these harms.
Canadian privacy authorities will monitor TikTok’s progress to ensure it follows through on these commitments. While TikTok has disagreed with parts of the findings, it has said it remains committed to making changes.
This case highlights wider concerns about how tech platforms handle personal data, especially when children are involved. Similar discussions are taking place worldwide as governments move to tighten regulations. In fact, countries like China are also updating policies to manage global talent and digital engagement, as seen when China introduced a new K-visa for international experts.
In summary, the investigation confirmed that TikTok collected sensitive data on Canadian children, raising serious privacy concerns. The outcome stresses the urgent need for stronger safeguards to protect young users online.
