UK imposes heavy fine for TikTok over misusing children's data

LONDON: Britain’s watchdog has fined video-sharing platform TikTok £12.7m for failing to protect children’s privacy.

According to an investigation by the British Information Commissioner’s Office, TikTok allowed 1.4 million British children under the age of 13 to use the platform in 2020 and used the data of children under that age without parental consent.

TikTok officials have said the company has invested heavily in preventing under-13s from accessing the site. Despite this many people were able to access the site.

The study found that children’s data may be used to track and profile them and potentially present them with harmful or inappropriate content, with an estimated 10 in 10 under-13s. Millions of people were improperly given access to the platform and the platform collected and used their personal data.

Information Commissioner John Edwards said laws are in place to ensure our children are as safe in the digital world as they are in the physical world and TikTok did not break those laws.

It is known that this is the largest fine issued by the ICO. On the other hand, a TikTok spokesperson said that our strong security team works around the clock to help keep the platform safe for the community.

He further said that although we do not agree with the ICO’s decision regarding the period from May 2018 to July 2020, we are happy that the penalty announced has been reduced to half of the amount proposed last year. But will continue to review and consider the next steps.