Britain’s Information Commissioner’s Office has launched an investigation into how TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur handle and safeguard the personal data of child users. The inquiry comes amid growing concerns over the potential exposure of harmful content to young audiences on social media platform.
The investigation will examine, among other issues, how TikTok—operated by Chinese company ByteDance—uses personal information of 13- to 17-year-olds to curate content feeds. Additionally, the ICO is probing the methods employed by Reddit and Imgur to verify the age of their younger users. A statement from the ICO noted that if sufficient evidence of legal violations is found, the agency will engage directly with the companies before reaching a final conclusion.
This latest probe follows a 2023 fine of 12.7 million pounds imposed on TikTok for breaching data protection laws by processing the personal data of children under 13 without parental consent. A Reddit spokesperson confirmed that the platform is working closely with the ICO and has plans to implement changes this year to meet updated UK regulations regarding age assurance, despite most of its user base being adults.
The investigation also comes against the backdrop of new British legislation imposing stricter rules on social media platforms. Under these measures, platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are required to enforce robust age-checking systems and adjust their algorithms to reduce the prominence of harmful or age-inappropriate content for young users.
ByteDance, TikTok, and Imgur have yet to comment on the inquiry. The outcome of the investigation could have significant implications for how social media companies manage children's privacy and comply with evolving data protection and safety regulations in the United Kingdom.
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The Houthi group in Yemen claimed responsibility for a series of missile and drone attacks, targeting Ben Gurion airport in Israel and U.S. warships in the Red Sea.
The European Union views the Palestinian Authority as "best placed to govern Gaza," according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, following her meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa in Ramallah.
U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that he is prepared to take a more flexible stance on new tariffs for automobiles and other goods than initially expected.
A group of top Trump administration officials reportedly shared sensitive military plans over the encrypted messaging app Signal just hours before the United States launched strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, sparking a political storm in Washington.
Bank of America (BofA) said the recent volatility in Turkish markets has so far had only a limited inflationary impact, stressing that Türkiye’s economic management remains in control.
The Houthi group in Yemen claimed responsibility for a series of missile and drone attacks, targeting Ben Gurion airport in Israel and U.S. warships in the Red Sea.
The European Union views the Palestinian Authority as "best placed to govern Gaza," according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, following her meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa in Ramallah.
U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that he is prepared to take a more flexible stance on new tariffs for automobiles and other goods than initially expected.
A group of top Trump administration officials reportedly shared sensitive military plans over the encrypted messaging app Signal just hours before the United States launched strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, sparking a political storm in Washington.
Bank of America (BofA) said the recent volatility in Turkish markets has so far had only a limited inflationary impact, stressing that Türkiye’s economic management remains in control.
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