Tech

UK set to fine TikTok for breaching children safety

Published

3 years ago

September 27, 2022

Holly Stearnes

The UK says it may fine the company $29 million for violating kids’ privacy

Ask anyone under the age of 18 to name their favourite app, and there’s a good chance they’ll say “TikTok.”

The short-form video platform has taken the world by storm in recent years, thanks to its addictive mix of user-generated content and algorithm-driven recommendations.

However, it turns out that TikTok may have crossed a line when it comes to its youngest users.

The UK’s data privacy regulator is investigating whether TikTok violated children’s privacy law by processing data of kids under 13 without parental consent.

If found guilty, the company could be fined up to £27 million (about $29 million).

In a legal document notifying TikTok of the possible fine, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office says TikTok may have processed sensitive categories of data “without legal grounds,” and may have failed to provide information to its users transparently enough.

So what does this mean for TikTok’s future in the UK?

According to the UK Information Commissioner’s Office, TikTok may have violated children’s privacy law by processing data of kids under 13 without parental consent.

The ICO is also investigating whether TikTok collected sensitive categories of data without legal grounds and failed to provide information to its users transparently enough.

If found guilty, TikTok could be fined up to $29 million. That would be a drop in the bucket for a company like ByteDance, which is valued at over $75 billion.

However, it would be a big deal for TikTok in the UK, where the app has been downloaded over 32 million times.

How Did This Happen?

It’s important to note that there is no evidence that any user data was actually mishandled or misused by TikTok.

Rather, the ICO is concerned that TikTok may have collect children’s data without their parents’ knowledge or consent.

TikTok has always maintained that it has a separate app called “Tik Tok Kids” for users under the age of 13.

However, according to the ICO, some children were able to bypass these age restrictions and create accounts on the main TikTok app. As a result, their data may have been collected without their parents’ knowledge or consent.

What Happens Next?

It’s still unclear what will happen next in this case. The ICO is currently in talks with ByteDance about possible resolutions, but no decisions have been made yet.

In the meantime, TikTok will continue to operate as normal in the UK.

But if found guilty, this would be a big deal for TikTok in the UK, where the app has been downloaded over 32 million times.

Tech

SpaceX shifts focus to Moon with ambitious Lunar City plans

Elon Musk shifts SpaceX focus from Mars to a 2027 Moon landing, merging with xAI for AI satellite networks.

Published

22 hours ago

February 10, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Elon Musk shifts SpaceX focus from Mars to a 2027 Moon landing, merging with xAI for AI satellite networks.

Elon Musk has set his sights closer to home—literally. SpaceX is now prioritizing the creation of a self-sustaining city on the Moon within the next decade. The ambitious plan marks a major shift from previous Mars-focused strategies, aiming for an uncrewed Starship landing as early as 2027 to support NASA’s Artemis program.

This pivot comes as SpaceX merges with Musk’s xAI, combining the companies into a massive $1.25 trillion valuation. Musk believes the Moon offers practical advantages for launches, making it a more strategic stepping stone for humanity’s future in space.

Alongside lunar ambitions, SpaceX is also developing satellite networks to back AI technologies in orbit. Despite the excitement, NASA’s Artemis program has faced delays, pushing the first crewed lunar flight to March due to technical issues.

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Tech

Claude AI is transforming software engineering and productivity

Anthropic’s Claude AI now manages coding tasks, boosting productivity by 50% as engineers shift to oversight roles.

Published

2 days ago

February 9, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Anthropic’s Claude AI now manages coding tasks, boosting productivity by 50% as engineers shift to oversight roles.

Anthropic has confirmed that its AI, Claude, now handles almost all coding tasks at the company. Engineers are shifting from writing code to oversight and planning, marking a major change in how software development teams operate.

Users report a productivity boost of 50 percent since implementing Claude, highlighting the potential of AI to reshape workflows and day-to-day operations. The shift raises questions about the balance between human oversight and automated code generation.

The move has also affected markets, with shares of Indian IT services companies falling as investors assess the impact on traditional tech roles. Industry leaders stress that while AI can generate code, human input remains crucial for design, review, and strategic decision-making.

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Tech

OpenAI and Anthropic launch faster, smarter AI tools for enterprise coding

OpenAI and Anthropic launch advanced coding models, revolutionizing enterprise software development and intensifying the AI tooling competition.

Published

5 days ago

February 6, 2026

Harvey Vargas

OpenAI and Anthropic launch advanced coding models, revolutionising enterprise software development and intensifying the AI tooling competition.

OpenAI and Anthropic have unveiled powerful new AI coding models aimed at transforming enterprise software development. GPT-5.3 Codex operates 25% faster than its predecessor, tackling complex tasks and following real-time directions without losing context.

Claude Opus 4.6 introduces ‘agent teams’, allowing multiple AI agents to work on tasks simultaneously. The update also includes a one-million-token context window, enabling large volumes of text and code to be processed in a single prompt.

GitHub now supports multiple coding agents, letting developers compare AI approaches on the same problems. Both OpenAI and Anthropic are pushing for enterprise adoption, highlighting the potential for professional applications across industries.

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