TikTok investigated by UK watchdog over use of children’s data

Data monitoring in the UK launched what it calls a “great investigation” in using Tiktok for personal information for children.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) will examine the way the social media platform is used by children between the ages of 13 and 17 to recommend them.

John Edwards, the Information Commissioner, said that he will look at whether Tiktok data collection practices may lead to children’s damage, such as data that is leaked or eliminating “more than health time” on the platform.

Tiktok BBC told the recommendation systems that operate according to “strict and comprehensive measures that protect the privacy and safety of adolescents.”

He added that the statute also contains “strong restrictions on the permitted content in teenagers.”

Mr. Edwards said that the Tiktok “Feeds” on the personal data collected from the profiles of users, preferences, the links that are clicked and the time they spend watching a specific video – which makes it subject to the rules of the United Kingdom.

In addition to the tiktok probe, ICO also checks the ages of Reddit and IMGur, a photo sharing platform.

The investigation will discuss whether companies are compatible with each of the UK data protection laws and children’s symbol.

The code has been set to design the principles of online platforms aimed at protecting children in the UK. The platforms that collect children’s user data in the UK must reduce the minimum amount they collect and take more care when processing.

ICO investigations in Reddit and IMGUR will focus on how to check the platforms of the ages of its users and enforce ages.

Offcom said in October, Redit X has exceeded the fifth most popular platform in the UK.

At the same time, IMGur says on its website that it reaches more than 250 million people per month. However, it does not mention the countries on which their users are based, so there is no number for the number of people who use it in the United Kingdom.

“I don’t want to judge in advance how we can look at IMGur and Reddit issues, but if there are age limits to access services, the platforms must somehow them,” the Information Commissioner told the BBC.

“There are a number of different techniques and technologies available, as I think, and the degree of rigor, as I think, partially depend on the types of risk and the possibility of reaching those sites.

“I think the baseline will be: Perhaps the self -click will not be cut off if there is content on the site or services on the site that is not suitable for children under the age of 13.”

A Reddit BBC spokesman told 95 % of its adult users, but they have “plans to put up this year’s changes that address UK’s updates about age guarantee.”

IMGUR did not respond to the BBC request for comment.

Investigations do not necessarily mean that any of the three platforms has broken the law.

But the companies that have been found have done so that they can be punished with notifications and enforcement fines.

“We are doing patrols, and there will be consequences for violating the law,” said Mr. Edwards.

This is not the first time that Tiktok has faced scrutiny from ICO. The platform is attractive against ICO A fine of 12.7 million pounds in 2023 for the misuse of children’s data Issued in 2023.