TikTok child data protection inadequate, Canadian privacy officials say

The Canadian privacy officials have raised concerns about the inadequate child data protection measures on the TikTok platform. According to the officials, TikTok's practices do not sufficiently safeguard the personal information of young users, potentially exposing them to risks. The report highlights that TikTok's default settings for minors' accounts allow their personal information, including their location, to be shared publicly, and their profiles to be discoverable by anyone. This lack of privacy controls, the officials argue, goes against principles of privacy and data protection. In response, TikTok has acknowledged the need to strengthen its platform and has promised to introduce new measures to address the issues raised. However, the company disputes some of the findings, suggesting that there are ongoing efforts to enhance user privacy and security. The officials' concerns underscore the broader challenges in ensuring adequate data protection for children and minors in the digital age, as social media platforms continue to shape the online experiences of young users.