The United Kingdom’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has initiated investigations into TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur concerning their handling of children’s personal data. This move underscores the ICO’s commitment to ensuring that digital platforms adhere to data protection laws, particularly regarding younger users.
Focus of the Investigations
- TikTok: The ICO is examining how TikTok utilizes the personal information of users aged 13 to 17 to curate content recommendations. There are concerns that the platform’s algorithms might expose young users to inappropriate or harmful material.
- Reddit and Imgur: These platforms are under scrutiny for their methods of assessing and verifying the ages of their users. The ICO aims to determine if adequate measures are in place to prevent minors from accessing unsuitable content.
Information Commissioner John Edwards emphasized the responsibility of social media and video-sharing platforms to comply with data protection laws, stating that the ICO is committed to holding them accountable.
Background and Previous Actions
This is not the first time TikTok has faced scrutiny over its data practices. In April 2023, the ICO fined TikTok £12.7 million for mishandling children’s data, including using information from users under 13 without parental consent.
The ICO’s recent actions are part of a broader effort to ensure that digital services are designed with children’s safety in mind. The investigations will assess whether there have been any infringements of data protection legislation. If sufficient evidence of legal breaches is found, the ICO will seek representations from the companies before reaching a final conclusion.
Industry Response and Future Implications
In response to regulatory pressures, several platforms have already implemented changes to enhance child safety:
- X (formerly Twitter): The platform has ceased serving advertisements to users under 18 and removed the option for these users to share their geolocation.
- BeReal: This platform has stopped processing precise geolocation data for users under 18, limiting location sharing to approximate city-level information. ccn.com
- Twitch: The streaming service has committed to changing default settings for teen users in the UK to prevent them from creating or sharing clips by default
These developments highlight a growing recognition within the industry of the need to protect younger users. As the ICO continues its investigations, platforms may need to further adapt their policies and practices to ensure compliance with data protection laws and to safeguard children online