(Yicai) May 29 -- Australia’s privacy watchdog has closed its preliminary inquiries into TikTok, the Chinese-owned short-video platform.

“From the information before me, there is no clear and obvious breach of Australian privacy law that would warrant opening an investigation” into TikTok, Carly Kind said in a statement posted today on the website of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

In addition to being subject to preliminary inquiries in Australia, the European Commission announced on Feb. 19 that it has launched an investigation into TikTok, which is owned by Beijing-based ByteDance. The United States Congress has also rapidly advanced legislation to ban it since March. 

TikTok and ByteDance filed a lawsuit on May 7 against the US government over the law forcing its owner to sell or divest the platform, claiming that it violates the US Constitution.

“The purpose of preliminary inquiries is to determine whether an investigation is warranted,” Kind said. “A regulator like the OAIC must always direct its attention -- and its resources -- towards where they will have the greatest impact.

“This case raises issues that are sadly not unique to TikTok, and any litigation or investigation by the OAIC would be on uncertain legal footing,” she said.

The OAIC began preliminary inquiries into TikTok last December following allegations that the platform uses a Pixel tracking tool to collect data, including web browsing history and personal details, to piece together identity information such as emails, phone numbers, and shopping habits.

“Pixels are one of many tracking tools, including cookies, that permit granular user surveillance across the internet and social media platforms,” Kind said. “Many of these tracking tools are harmful, invasive, and corrosive of online privacy.

“We urgently need reform of the Privacy Act,” she said. “It is the best way to tackle the most harmful aspects of the digital ecosystem.

“We are considering next steps to address broader issues raised by tracking tools that have become commonplace on websites today, with a focus on tools that could facilitate the transfer of sensitive information,” Kind said.

“We will also be publishing information on key privacy issues organizations must consider when configuring and deploying tracking tools on their websites,” she added.

Editor: Martin Kadiev