Why you should care about what TikTok and other platforms do with your data

Canada's former spymaster is warning that even if Canadians aren't worried about their personal information falling into the wrong hands, they should be.

A Canadian TikTok ban on government devices and ongoing probes into how the video-sharing app uses Canadians’ data have put the spotlight on what individuals can do to protect their data and personal privacy.

For many Canadians, skimming past terms of service, agreeing to cookies, and choosing whether to “allow app to track” their mobile device use has become a matter of routine.

But Canada’s former spymaster is warning that even if Canadians aren’t already worried about their personal information falling into the wrong hands, they should be.

“The more information that a foreign state, Chinese or other, have on you, it provides them opportunities for blackmail, for coercion, for influencing,” said former CSIS director Richard Fadden.

Here’s why experts say you should care about your online privacy.

The concerns clouding the social media platform stem from TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance.

The company has faced criticism from those who warn that China’s government could access user data, such as browsing history and location — thanks to a Chinese law that requires private companies to cooperate with Beijing if asked.

While TikTok has taken steps to try to reassure countries that it will safeguard user data, many — including the United States, Canada and the European Commission — have banned the application on government-issued devices.