UK Launches Investigation into TikTok, Reddit Over Children's Personal Data Practices

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has launched investigations into TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur over their handling of children's personal data. The move comes as part of a wider effort to ensure that social media and video-sharing platforms protect children's privacy and prevent them from being exposed to harmful content.

TikTok, the popular video-sharing app, is under scrutiny for its use of personal information from users aged 13 to 17 to deliver content recommendations. The ICO is concerned that the platform's algorithm may be exposing children to inappropriate or harmful content, such as eating disorder and self-harm content, as previously reported.

Reddit and Imgur, online forum and image-sharing sites respectively, are being investigated for their use of age assurance measures. The ICO wants to ensure that these platforms are adequately estimating and verifying children's ages to protect their personal information and prevent them from accessing inappropriate content.

The investigations are part of the ICO's ongoing efforts to protect children's online privacy and ensure that social media and video-sharing platforms comply with data protection laws. The regulator is particularly concerned about the potential for young people to be served harmful or inappropriate content as a result of the use of personal data in recommendation algorithms.

Information Commissioner John Edwards stated that the ICO welcomes technology and innovation but wants to ensure that companies comply with data protection laws. He emphasized the importance of protecting children's privacy and holding companies accountable for their actions.

The ICO's investigations come amid growing concerns about the use of children's personal data in recommendation algorithms and the potential for young people to be exposed to harmful content. The regulator is taking action to ensure that social media and video-sharing platforms have robust processes in place to protect children's privacy and prevent them from being exposed to harm.

As part of its investigation, the ICO will examine whether there have been any data protection infringements and, if evidence of potential breaches is found, it will put the information to the platforms for their input before reaching a conclusion.

The UK's Online Safety Act 2023, which received Royal Assent in October 2023, is set to come into force in 2025. The legislation aims to protect children and adults from online harms by requiring online platforms to remove and limit the spread of illegal content, such as child sexual abuse, terrorist material, and suicide content. The government has also announced new rules for tech firms that allow users to post their own content or interact, with fines of up to ten per cent of turnover or the blocking of their sites if they fail to protect people.

The ICO's investigations into TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur highlight the importance of data protection and age verification standards in the broader social media and online platform landscape in the UK. As the regulator continues its work, it is likely that other platforms will be encouraged to review and enhance their data protection practices and age assurance measures to avoid potential breaches and fines.

In conclusion, the ICO's investigations into TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting children's personal data and preventing them from being exposed to harmful content. As the regulator continues its work, it is likely that other platforms will be encouraged to adopt more robust data protection measures and improve their age verification techniques to ensure the safety and privacy of their users.