At least one public policy expert says an investigation into TikTok launched by several privacy commissioners should prompt a similar look into other apps. The TikTok logo is seen on a cell phone on Oct. 14, 2022, in Boston. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Michael Dwyer
TORONTO – At least one public policy expert says an investigation into TikTok launched by Canada’s Privacy Commissioner should prompt a similar look into other apps.
Vass Bednar, the executive director of the Master of Public Policy in Digital Society at McMaster University, says issues around consent and data collection surround several TikTok rivals.
While she thinks TikTok is being investigated because of geopolitical tensions between Canada and China, she says it would be a good idea to investigate the data privacy policies of other popular apps too.
The federal privacy watchdog and its counterparts in B.C., Alberta and Quebec said Thursday that they would jointly investigate TikTok, a video-based social media platform owned by Beijing-based ByteDance.
They want to explore whether TikTok complies with Canadian privacy legislation and whether “valid and meaningful” consent is being obtained for the collection, use and disclosure of personal information.
TikTok has long been embroiled in privacy concerns because the Chinese government has a stake in ByteDance and laws allow the country to access user data.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 24, 2023.
