The UK’s privacy regulator has initiated investigations into three social media platforms regarding their child privacy practices.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) revealed it is examining how TikTok handles personal data of users aged 13 to 17 when recommending videos, amid rising concerns about harmful content exposure to young users.
Additionally, the ICO is scrutinizing Reddit and Imgur’s methods for verifying user ages in the UK and their handling of minors’ personal data.
READ ALSO: UCC Partners ‘Possibility Security Services’ for Campus Safety
While the investigations are in the early stages, the ICO aims to determine whether there have been any violations of data protection laws before taking further action.
ICYMT: KNUST: Final-Year Student Arrested Over Colleague’s Death
These inquiries are part of a broader effort by UK authorities to regulate social media platforms. Last year, Ofcom investigated OnlyFans for age-verification issues but dropped the case last month. In 2023, the ICO also fined TikTok $16 million for providing services to children under 13 without proper parental consent.
SOURCE: TECH CRUNCH
