TikTok probed by Canadian regulators over data collection from young users
- Watchdogs from the federal and provincial governments are looking into whether the platform – owned by China’s ByteDance – is complying with privacy laws
- The popular video-sharing app is under increasing scrutiny amid fears that user data could be accessed by Beijing
Four privacy regulators in Canada are launching an investigation into TikTok over its collection, use and disclosure of personal information – including whether it is complying with laws when dealing with younger users.
The probe into the social media platform, which is owned by China’s ByteDance, is being conducted by privacy watchdogs from the federal government and the provinces of Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia.
It follows settled class action lawsuits in the US and Canada, the regulators said in a statement.
“An important proportion of TikTok users are younger users,” the regulators said.
“The joint investigation will have a particular focus on TikTok’s privacy practices as they relate to younger users, including whether the company obtained valid and meaningful consent from these users for the collection, use and disclosure of their personal information.”