Canadian privacy authorities have concluded a joint investigation into TikTok’s handling of children’s personal data, determining that the platform’s privacy protections for young users are inadequate and non-compliant with federal and provincial privacy laws. The findings, announced September 23, 2025, follow a probe led by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada in coordination with provincial counterparts in Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta.
The regulators examined whether TikTok collected, used and disclosed personal information of users under the age of 18 in a lawful and transparent manner. The investigation, initiated in 2023, focused on how the platform gathers data from minors, especially children under 13, and whether meaningful consent was obtained in compliance with Canadian privacy statutes. Officials found that TikTok failed to effectively prevent children under the minimum age requirement from accessing its platform.
Despite the company’s stated policies restricting the service to users aged 13 and above, a significant number of younger children were found to be active on the app. In Quebec alone, data revealed that approximately 17 percent of children aged 6 to 12 had TikTok accounts, and that number increased to about 40 percent among those aged 6 to 17. The report determined that TikTok collected sensitive personal information from minors, including location data, device information, and biometric identifiers such as facial and voice data.
Canadian officials conclude joint investigation into TikTok
The platform also created inferred profiles based on user activity to personalize content and advertising. Regulators concluded that the scope and sensitivity of the data collected exceeded what was appropriate given the age of the users and the lack of informed consent. TikTok has agreed to implement several corrective measures. These include strengthening age verification processes and revising the way it communicates its privacy practices to ensure they are accessible and understandable to both young users and their guardians.
The company also committed to improving the visibility and clarity of its privacy policies, particularly in both official languages, English and French. The resolution of the investigation was classified as “conditionally resolved” by the regulators. While TikTok has pledged to take the necessary steps to address the identified privacy concerns, the authorities stated that they will continue to monitor the platform’s actions to ensure compliance with Canadian privacy law.
Canada emphasizes privacy rights for minors online
The investigation also highlighted that TikTok’s platform design and policies did not provide adequate transparency. Privacy terms were described as difficult to locate and complex in nature, making it challenging for users, especially minors, to fully understand how their data was being used or shared. The regulators emphasized that informed consent cannot be considered valid if users do not clearly understand what they are agreeing to. This marks the latest regulatory scrutiny TikTok has faced in Canada.
In a separate move last year, the federal government ordered the company to wind down its Canadian business entity following a national security review related to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance Ltd. Despite that order, TikTok remains available to Canadian users. The findings come amid increased global regulatory attention on how social media platforms collect and use children’s personal data. Canadian authorities stressed that organizations offering digital services to young users must meet higher privacy obligations under national and provincial laws. – By Content Syndication Services.