CANADA ACCUSES TIKTOK OF HARVESTING SENSITIVE DATA FROM KIDS

Wed 24 September 2025:

A Canadian probe revealed that TikTok, a social media app with numerous underage users in Canada, did not adequately enforce age limits and gathered substantial sensitive personal information from children.

The Canadian government on Tuesday published its report on TikTok amid ongoing debates in the US over whether the app should be sold or banned due to data security concerns.

According to the report, the company’s practices in collecting and using personal data to determine personalized content and advertising were examined for compliance with Canadian privacy laws.

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The report noted that hundreds of thousands of underage Canadian citizens use the platform and highlighted TikTok’s insufficient measures to enforce provincial bans on access for children under 13.

“As a result of TikTok’s inadequate age assurance measures, the company collected the personal information of a large number of Canadian children, including information that the offices consider to be sensitive,” the report said.

The report further revealed that TikTok collects biometric data such as facial and voice information. While around 500,000 underage users are blocked each year, flaws in age-verification mechanisms mean that many children will go undetected.

TikTok’s Negative Effects on Children

TikTok hooks kids with its addictive algorithm, pushing endless short videos that trigger dopamine rushes, leading to compulsive use—internal research shows just 35 minutes can form a habit, interfering with sleep, schoolwork, and family time.

This “TikTok Brain” rewires developing minds, shortening attention spans and impairing analytical skills, memory, empathy, and deep conversations.

Worse, the “For You” feed funnels young users into toxic rabbit holes of self-harm, suicide glorification, and depressive content within minutes, worsening anxiety and mental health crises.

Cyberbullying hits 64% of kid users, tanking self-esteem through harsh comments and social exclusion.

It also promotes unrealistic beauty standards and oversexualization via dances and filters, fueling body image issues and lower life satisfaction.

Dangerous challenges, like reckless stunts, have sent kids to ERs, while invasive data collection on underage users (up to 1.4 million under 13) profiles them for more harm.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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