The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has recently launched an investigation into how popular social media platforms TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur protect children on their platforms. Specifically, the probe into TikTok aims to examine how the platform utilizes the personal data of its young users aged 13 to 17 for recommendations and suggested content. On the other hand, the investigation into Reddit and Imgur focuses on how these platforms handle children’s personal information and the methods they use to determine or verify a child’s age.
UK Information Commissioner John Edwards emphasized the importance of data protection laws for social media and video sharing platforms operating in the UK. He stated, «The responsibility to keep children safe online lies firmly at the door of the companies offering these services, and my office is steadfast in its commitment to hold them accountable.» At this point, it is unclear whether these companies have violated any personal data protection regulations in the UK.
In a separate incident in 2023, the ICO imposed a significant fine of £12.7 million ($16.1 million) on TikTok for allowing an estimated 1.4 million children under the age of 13 to use the platform in 2020 without parental consent and utilizing their data. The ByteDance-owned company has also faced criticism in the US regarding its handling of young users, leading to a mix of outcomes.
For the full article, originally published on Engadget, click here.
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