TikTok - The Latremie Post

Canadian privacy watchdogs call for TikTok to enhance protection for children on platform

**Canadian Privacy Authorities Find TikTok’s Protection for Children Inadequate, But Steps Are Being Taken**

*OTTAWA, Ontario (AP)* — TikTok’s efforts to keep children off its platform and prevent the collection and use of their sensitive personal information have been found “inadequate,” according to Canadian privacy authorities. However, the company is taking steps to address these concerns, officials said Tuesday.

Federal Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne emphasized that TikTok must do more to keep underage children off the platform and improve transparency around its data collection practices, especially for youth. TikTok maintains that its platform is not intended for users under the age of 13.

“Our investigation found that measures TikTok uses to keep children off the popular video-sharing platform and to prevent the collection and use of their sensitive personal information … were inadequate,” Dufresne stated.

In response, TikTok has agreed to enhance its underage assurance methods to better exclude underage users. The company will also strengthen its privacy communications to help users understand how their data is being used.

“There are some steps they still have to take. For the moment, we find it’s conditionally resolved,” Dufresne said. “We are going to be monitoring the situation.”

Dufresne also noted that TikTok’s privacy policies currently lack detail and are difficult to locate.

The federal, Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia privacy commissioners publicly released the results of their joint investigation, which was launched in 2023. The findings highlighted that in Quebec, 40% of young people aged 6 to 17 have a TikTok account. Among children aged 6 to 12, that figure stands at 17%.

“We were certainly struck by how elaborate a profiling that was being used by TikTok,” said British Columbia Privacy Commissioner Michael Harvey. He pointed out concerns over the extensive data collection, including facial and voice analytics, combined with location information, used to create detailed inferences about users, such as their spending power. This information then influences the content and advertising shown to them.

Last year, following a national security review of TikTok’s Chinese parent company, the Canadian government decided not to block access to the popular app but ordered the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business.

Meanwhile, in the United States, former President Donald Trump suggested that prominent billionaires—such as media mogul Rupert Murdoch and tech founder Michael Dell—could be involved in a deal where the U.S. would take control of the social video platform.
https://wgntv.com/entertainment-news/ap-entertainment/ap-canadian-privacy-watchdogs-call-for-tiktok-to-enhance-protection-for-children-on-platform/

US lawmakers seek to ‘break the ice’ in China visit amid trade, TikTok tensions

**US House Representatives Meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing to ‘Break the Ice’ Amid Tense US-China Relations**

A delegation of US House of Representatives members met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Sunday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, expressing hopes to “break the ice” as the two global superpowers seek to stabilize their strained relationship.

This rare visit by US lawmakers comes amid a week marked by tense phone calls and high-stakes negotiations between Washington and Beijing. The trip underscores ongoing efforts to ease tensions that continue to revolve around trade disputes, the future of the popular app TikTok, and escalating military tensions in the South China Sea.

Just two days prior to the meeting, US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first phone call in three months. While their discussion addressed several critical issues, including trade and security, there was no breakthrough regarding TikTok — the Chinese-owned app boasting 170 million users in the United States.

The White House reported on Saturday that a potential deal is taking shape which would place control of TikTok’s algorithm into the hands of US companies. Furthermore, US citizens would hold the majority of seats on a board overseeing TikTok’s US operations, with six out of seven board members being American.

TikTok’s algorithm is crucial as it determines the content users see, and US officials have repeatedly expressed concerns about its vulnerability to manipulation by Chinese authorities.

Despite these concerns, President Trump told reporters Saturday evening that “great American patriots” are preparing to acquire TikTok’s US operations. The app was originally slated for a ban in the US this January, but Trump has issued several orders to keep it operational while negotiations with ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company in China, continue.

“And they’re very smart technologically, and they will not let anything bad happen to TikTok,” Trump said.

Among the likely buyers of TikTok’s US operations is Oracle, the technology giant led by billionaire Larry Ellison, a longtime Trump supporter.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated in a Fox News interview on Saturday that the administration is “100 percent confident that a deal is done.” She added, “President Trump recognized the need to protect Americans’ privacy and data while also keeping this app open.”

Leavitt also emphasized TikTok’s importance, calling it “a vital part of our democratic process,” and predicted that the deal would be finalized “in the coming days.”

As both nations continue to navigate this complex relationship, the lawmakers’ visit and ongoing negotiations signal a cautious but hopeful step toward easing US-China tensions.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/us-lawmakers-seek-to-break-the-ice-in-china-visit-amid-trade-tiktok-tensions/articleshow/124036815.cms

US lawmakers seek to ‘break the ice’ in China visit amid trade, TikTok tensions

**US House Representatives Meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing, Aim to ‘Break the Ice’ Amid Tense US-China Relations**

A delegation from the US House of Representatives met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Sunday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The lawmakers conveyed their hope to “break the ice” as the two superpowers strive to make progress toward stabilizing their increasingly tense relationship.

This visit comes during a week marked by high-stakes negotiations and tense phone calls between Washington and Beijing. According to Al Jazeera, the US delegation’s trip is a rare occasion aimed at thawing frozen ties amid ongoing disputes over trade, the fate of TikTok, and escalating military tensions in the South China Sea.

Just two days prior, US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first phone call in three months. While the leaders discussed several critical issues, no breakthrough was reached regarding TikTok — the immensely popular Chinese-owned app boasting 170 million users in the United States.

The White House announced on Saturday that a prospective deal would grant US companies control over TikTok’s algorithm, with US citizens holding the majority on a board overseeing the app’s US operations—six out of seven seats. The app’s algorithm, which determines what content users see, has been a point of concern for US officials who fear potential manipulation by Chinese authorities.

Despite this, President Trump told reporters on Saturday evening that “great American patriots” are planning to purchase TikTok’s US operations. Originally slated for a ban in the US in January, TikTok has instead remained operational due to repeated executive orders allowing the app to continue while negotiations with its owner, China’s ByteDance, proceed.

“And they’re very smart technologically,” Trump said of the potential buyers, “and they will not let anything bad happen to TikTok.”

Oracle, the tech giant led by billionaire and longtime Trump supporter Larry Ellison, is one of the frontrunners to acquire TikTok’s US operations.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed confidence in the deal during a Fox News interview on Saturday, stating the administration is “100 per cent confident that a deal is done.” She added, “[Trump] recognized the need to protect Americans’ privacy and data while also keeping this app open.”

Leavitt emphasized TikTok’s importance, calling it “a vital part of our democratic process,” and anticipated the agreement would be finalized “in the coming days.”

As tensions continue, this diplomatic engagement and potential TikTok deal represent crucial steps in addressing the complex challenges defining US-China relations.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/us-lawmakers-seek-to-break-the-ice-in-china-visit-amid-trade-tiktok-tensions/articleshow/124036815.cms

China ends Google antitrust probe, shifts regulatory focus to NVIDIA

**China Ends Google Antitrust Probe, Shifts Regulatory Focus to NVIDIA**
*By Akash Pandey | Sep 18, 2025, 01:21 PM*

China has decided to end its antitrust investigation into tech giant Google, six months after it was launched, according to the Financial Times. This development comes amid escalating trade talks between Beijing and Washington, particularly concerning TikTok. It is important to note that Google has not yet been officially informed about the decision to terminate the probe.

### Details of the Probe into Google’s Android OS

The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) of China decided to end the competition investigation against Google, a move referred to as “zhongzhi” in Chinese. The probe, launched in February, focused on Google’s dominance in the Android operating system market. Authorities scrutinized how this dominance affects Chinese smartphone manufacturers such as OPPO and Xiaomi, which heavily rely on Google’s software ecosystem.

### Strategic Shift in China’s Regulatory Focus

The termination of the investigation is seen as a positive gesture toward Washington, signaling Beijing’s willingness to negotiate in ongoing trade discussions. A source told the Financial Times, “Drop one case but seize the other. China is trying to narrow its retaliatory targets to make them more potent.”

Now, China’s regulatory attention has shifted to NVIDIA, the world’s most valuable chipmaker. This shift could serve as leverage in the broader context of US-China trade negotiations.

### TikTok: US Ban Extended by Three Months

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump announced an agreement had been reached with China over the sale of TikTok. This announcement followed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s confirmation of a “framework agreement” related to the app.

Despite the progress, Trump signed an executive order extending the ban on TikTok for an additional three months. This marks the fourth delay of the law intended to compel the sale of TikTok from its Chinese owner, extending regulatory uncertainty around the popular social media platform.

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China’s move to end the Google antitrust probe while focusing on NVIDIA highlights a tactical shift in its regulatory approach amidst sensitive US-China trade relations. The developments around TikTok remain closely watched as part of these ongoing geopolitical negotiations.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/china-ends-probe-into-google-amid-trade-talks-with-us/story