The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has launched an investigation into how social media platforms TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur handle the data of underage users. The regulator is focusing on whether these companies comply with data protection laws and ensure the privacy of children online.
John Edwards, the UK Information Commissioner, emphasised the responsibility of tech companies in protecting young users. “The responsibility to keep children safe online lies firmly at the door of the companies offering these services,” he stated. He also warned that his office remains committed to holding platforms accountable for compliance with data protection regulations.
The ICO’s investigation will examine how TikTok, owned by Chinese company Bytedance, processes personal information of users aged 13 to 17 for its recommendation system. Meanwhile, US-based Reddit and Imgur will be scrutinised for their methods of assessing the age of minor users in the UK.
UK law requires online services to follow the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Children’s Code, ensuring extra protection for under-18s. Platforms must consider the best interests of children when handling their personal data.
A survey published by the ICO revealed that 42% of British parents feel they have little or no control over the data collected about their children.
TikTok has already faced heavy fines for mishandling children’s data, with the Irish Data Protection Commission fining the company €345 million in 2023. The UK’s ICO also imposed a £12.7 million (€14.5 million) fine on TikTok in April 2023 over similar concerns.
