Canada Probes TikTok Over Data & Privacy

Media giant TikTok is under investigation in Canada over its use and collection of users’ personal information.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada announced it was launching a joint probe into the platform, alongside provincial privacy authorities from Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta.

The probe was initiated “in the wake of now settled class action lawsuits in the United States and Canada, as well as numerous media reports related to TikTok’s collection, use and disclosure of personal information,” read a statement announcing the investigation.

Related: TikTok CEO Reassures EU Officials They Are Serious About Data & Privacy

The team of privacy commissioners note that a significant portion of TikTok’s users are younger, and they feel there is a heightened importance to protecting children’s privacy.

“The joint investigation will have a particular focus on TikTok’s privacy practices as they relate to younger users, including whether the company obtained valid and meaningful consent from these users for the collection, use and disclosure of their personal information,” reads the release.