"TikTok’s data collection being scrutinised by Australia’s privacy watchdog", 28 December 2023

Australia’s privacy watchdog has launched an inquiry into how TikTok harvests personal data and whether it is being done with consent.

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) will examine whether the social media platform has breached the online privacy of Australians through the use of marketing pixels, which track people’s online habits. This can include where they shop, how long they stay on websites and personal information, such as email addresses and mobile phone numbers.

Liberal senator James Paterson, who has been campaigning against TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, has alleged the social media platform is using pixels to collect information of non-TikTok users.

A TikTok spokesperson said its use of marketing pixels “is compliant with all current Australian privacy laws and regulations and we dismiss any suggestion otherwise”.

The OAIC conducts an inquiry before deciding whether there is enough evidence to warrant a formal investigation into claims.

Attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, said the privacy commissioner had been given additional legislative information-gathering powers to carry out inquiries like this and said he expected TikTok to be transparent with any requests.

Paterson has led a crusade against TikTok since assuming the shadow home affairs portfolio and wants the app and its Chinese-owned parent company treated as a “serious national security threat”.