Popular video-sharing app TikTok could face a £27m (around $29m) fine for failing to protect children’s privacy in the UK.
In the first major case under new UK rules to protect minors online, UK regulators said Monday sent a warning notice TikTok has accused the company of processing young people’s information without proper parental permission, processing sensitive information without a legal basis, and failing to explain its platform’s data practices in a way children can easily understand. says.
While the findings are preliminary, a legal letter sent to TikTok by the UK’s data protection authority, the Information Commissioner’s Office, constitutes formal notice that the regulator intends to impose a fine. I’m here.
This isn’t the first time a video-sharing app has been accused of failing to protect the privacy of young users. In 2019, Musical.ly, the operator of the platform now known as TikTok, agreed to pay a $5.7 million fine. Settle Federal Claims It allegedly violates the Federal Children’s Online Privacy Act of the United States.
The UK announcement comes as the US government works to address national security concerns using TikTok, which is owned by Chinese internet giant ByteDance.
TikTok did not immediately return an email seeking comment.
The privacy complaint against TikTok comes a year after the UK enacted a comprehensive new online protection law for minors (Children’s Code).
those rules Online services such as social networks and video game platforms should design their products and features with the best interests of children in mind. The rule also requires online services likely to be used by children to turn on the highest privacy settings for young users, and to ensure that those services track the exact location of children. is prohibited.
Last year, months before the Children’s Act came into force in the UK, popular social apps like YouTube, Snap, TikTok and Instagram announced they would be stepping up protections for children.
UK regulators said the TikTok investigation is part of a broader UK effort to ensure companies are complying with the new rules.
“We are currently investigating how over 50 different online services comply with the Children’s Policy,” UK Information Commissioner John Edwards said in a statement. Our initial view is that we take our responsibility for child safety seriously enough. “
Two weeks ago, California enacted a sweeping new online safety law for minors, inspired by a UK initiative.of new lawThe bill, which is set to go into effect in 2024, is called California’s Age-Appropriate Design Code Act.