The UK opens an investigation into Reddit and TikTok’s use of children’s personal data
Authorities in the UK have opened an investigation into Reddit and TikTok to look into how they handle the personal data of children.
An investigation into how Reddit, TikTok, and the online image-sharing site Imgur protect children’s privacy has been started by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in Britain.
On Monday, the ICO announced that it is investigating how TikTok, which is owned by ByteDance of China, utilizes the personal data of 13 to 17-year-olds to recommend material in their feeds. Additionally, it is looking into how Reddit and Imgur determine the age of its young members.
Complex algorithms are used by social media companies to rank content and maintain user engagement. These algorithms, however, have the ability to magnify comparable content, which could expose kids to more and more dangerous material.
The ICO said in a statement that “we will put this to them and obtain their representations before reaching a final conclusion if we find sufficient evidence that any of these companies have broken the law.”
TikTok was fined £12.7 million ($16 million) by the ICO in 2023 for violating data privacy regulations by using children’s personal information under the age of 13 without their parents’ permission.
In a response to Reuters, a Reddit representative stated that the firm has been collaborating closely with the ICO and plans to adhere to all applicable laws in the nations in which it conducts business. The representative stated, “Although the majority of our users are adults, we intend to implement changes this year that address updates to UK regulations regarding age assurance.”
Requests for comment were not immediately answered by ByteDance, TikTok, or Imgur.
Social media companies are now subject to more stringent rules in the UK, which mandate that they use age restrictions and verification procedures to keep kids from accessing dangerous and inappropriate content.
In order to better protect minors, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok must also modify their algorithms to filter out or downgrade hazardous content, according to draft British regulations that were published last year.
