Canadian privacy protection authority probes into the Chinese application TikTok over its data collection of users. Tiktok, owned by Chinese giant ByteDance, was accused of sharing information with Beijing. It’s a popular video-sharing platform. However, TikTok denies allegations saying ‘’ Privacy is its top priority.
Previously, European Commission Staff had ordered the removal of TikTok for privacy concerns and to protect the institutions. Following this decision, Canadian Authorities launched an investigation alongside provincial privacy regulators from British Columbia, Quebec, and Alberta.
TikTok’s collection, use and disclosure of personal information
Following numerous media reports, there are growing concerns regarding privacy on TikTok. The reports suggest that TikTok collects information and disclose personal information to Beijing. Canadian investigation is initiated ‘’ in the wake of now-settled class-action lawsuits in the United States and Canada. Its objective is to establish “whether the organization’s practices comply with Canadian privacy legislation”.
According to Regulators, most TikTok users are young and there is a greater ‘’importance on protecting Children’s privacy’’. Meanwhile, a TikTok spokesperson said that the investigation is an ‘’opportunity to set the record straight’’ and the way the company protects the privacy of Canadians.
Ban government officials from using TikTok
Some politicians like UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak suggest banning government officials from using TikTok. Canada joins hands with governments around the world raising their privacy concerns. There is a fear that China could use the app to harvest users’ data or use it for their interest.
Moreover, the Dutch government reportedly advised public officials to steer clear of the app. Meanwhile, the US government has already banned the app for federal government employees.
Alicia Kearns, the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman, is leading the call for the UK government to follow the European Commission, the EU executive and the EU Council, and order staff to delete the app.
TikTok has repeatedly said that data on its service is not accessible by Beijing.