UK watchdog investigates TikTok, Reddit, Imgur privacy practices

UK watchdog investigates TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur over children’s privacy and content safety amid worsening social media risks.

In Short

The ICO is investigating TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur for their handling of children’s privacy and data management. The investigation examines how these platforms, especially TikTok, might expose users aged 13-17 to harmful content through their algorithms.

Britain’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has launched an investigation into TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur regarding their safeguarding of children’s privacy.

The investigation focuses on how these platforms, particularly TikTok, manage personal data of users aged 13-17 and influence their content feeds. The ICO is concerned that social media algorithms can expose children to harmful material due to their tendency to amplify similar content.

TikTok has stated that it employs strict measures to protect the privacy and safety of teenagers on its platform. This includes limitations on content that can appear in the feeds of younger users.

The ICO has indicated it will obtain the companies’ responses if there is sufficient evidence of legal violations before reaching a final conclusion. In 2023, TikTok was fined £12.7 million for breaching data protection laws by using data from children under 13 without parental consent.

Reddit has expressed its commitment to working with the ICO to comply with relevant regulations, noting that most users are adults. However, the platform intends to implement changes to align with UK age assurance regulations.

Imgur has not yet commented on the matter. Recently passed British legislation enforces stricter rules on social media platforms, mandating measures to prevent children from accessing harmful content. This includes the requirement to adjust algorithms to better protect younger users from inappropriate material.