Canadian Privacy Watchdogs Demand TikTok Boost Child Protection Amidst Growing Concerns

In a significant move to safeguard the youngest users of the digital realm, Canada's leading privacy watchdogs have issued a resounding call for TikTok to fortify its child protection measures. Following an extensive joint investigation, federal and provincial commissioners have underscored critical vulnerabilities in the platform's handling of children's data, urging immediate and comprehensive action.

The collaborative probe, initiated by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada alongside counterparts from British Columbia, Quebec, and Alberta, zeroed in on TikTok's data collection and privacy practices, particularly concerning users under the age of 14.

What they uncovered raised significant alarms: until early 2021, TikTok accounts for all users, including children, were set to public by default. This meant that any content posted by a minor could be viewed by anyone on the platform, without restriction.

Adding to these concerns was the finding that TikTok's direct messaging feature was universally accessible, regardless of age.

This posed a tangible risk of potential exploitation and unwanted contact for younger users. Furthermore, the investigation highlighted inadequacies in obtaining verifiable parental consent for users under 14, and a lack of clear, easily understandable privacy information tailored for a young audience.

Daniel Therrien, then Privacy Commissioner of Canada, emphasized the gravity of the findings, stating, “TikTok was not obtaining adequate consent from children for the collection, use and disclosure of their personal information.” He added that the platform’s privacy practices left younger users susceptible to “exploitation through the collection of their personal information.”

While TikTok had already begun implementing changes prior to the report's release—including restricting direct messaging for users 16 and under in February 2021, and setting default private accounts for 13-15 year olds in November 2021—the commissioners insist more needs to be done.

The report acknowledges these steps, alongside TikTok's move to restrict livestreaming and monetization features for users under 18, and the introduction of a “Youth Portal” designed to educate young users about privacy.

Despite these proactive measures, the watchdogs' recommendations for further action are clear and compelling.

They are pressing TikTok to introduce a robust mechanism for obtaining verifiable parental consent for users under 14. This would ensure that parents are fully aware and approving of their children's data activities on the platform. Additionally, the commissioners demand that TikTok adhere more rigorously to data minimization principles, collecting only the data strictly necessary for its services.

Crucially, the report calls for enhanced transparency and communication.

TikTok must articulate its privacy practices in language that is unambiguous and accessible, not just for parents but for children themselves. Regular privacy impact assessments are also recommended to proactively identify and mitigate future risks.

TikTok has responded by stating its commitment to continuing to improve its privacy protections, particularly for younger users.

“We are grateful to the Canadian privacy regulators for their collaboration and feedback,” a TikTok spokesperson said. “We remain committed to continuing to improve the privacy protections and transparency for our younger users.”

This Canadian initiative echoes a growing global chorus of concern over social media's impact on children.

From the United States pushing for comprehensive federal privacy laws to the European Union's stringent General Data Protection Regulation, the digital landscape is increasingly under scrutiny to ensure it is a safe space for its most vulnerable users. This report serves as a potent reminder that platforms like TikTok bear a profound responsibility to prioritize the safety and privacy of children above all else.