TikTok’s tools to keep children off its platform were largely ineffective and the immensely popular social media app was collecting sensitive information from underage users, a joint investigation from Canadian privacy authorities found.
The investigation — launched by the federal privacy commissioner and his counterparts in Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta — looked into the video app’s privacy practices as they relate to younger users and whether “valid and meaningful” consent is being obtained for the collection, use and disclosure of personal information.
TikTok’s terms of service prohibit users under the age of 13 (14 in Quebec) from using the platform.
However, “as a result of TikTok’s inadequate age-assurance measures, the company collected the personal information of a large number of Canadian children, including information that the offices consider to be sensitive,” said the report.
The investigation uncovered that TikTok removes approximately 500,000 underage users each year, but it was already collecting, inferring and using their information to serve them targeted ads and tailored content to them.
“Youth may be less aware of privacy risks, and susceptible to the techniques used to capture their attention, induce them to disclose certain information or adopt certain purchasing behaviours,” Federal Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne said during a news conference in Ottawa.
The privacy commissioners said TikTok has agreed to enhance its age-verification methods to keep underage users off its platform.
Dufresne said he and his counterparts will be following up to make sure TikTok follows through.
