Threat To TikTok: TikTok fined £12.7m for misusing children’s data

TikTok has been facing some threats for some misuse of the data.

The UK’s data regulator has imposed a fine of £12.7m on TikTok for failing to safeguard the privacy of children. The investigation revealed that TikTok allowed nearly 1.4 million children under the age of 13 to use the platform in 2020.

The video-sharing platform utilized the data of children under 13 without their parent’s permission, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) found.

In response, TikTok stated that it had taken significant measures to prevent under-13s from accessing the platform.

Overview Of Threat To TikTok:

According to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), despite TikTok’s minimum age requirement of 13 to create an account. So it is a significant number of children were still able to access the platform. The ICO found that TikTok may have utilized children’s data to track and profile them. After that exposing them to harmful or inappropriate content.

John Edwards stated that there are regulations that ensure children’s safety in the digital world, as in the physical world. On the other hand, TikTok did not comply with these rules. As a result, an estimated one million under-13s were granted inappropriate access to the platform. It is said that their personal data was collected and utilized by TikTok.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) imposed a fine of £12.7m on TikTok, stating that the severity of their failures is reflected in the amount of the fine. The commissioner said that TikTok should have known better and should have taken appropriate measures to protect children’s privacy.

The ICO also revealed that TikTok did not take any steps to obtain parental consent and that signing up for the platform could lead to targeted advertising, profiling, and the contribution of data to an algorithm that feeds content. The commissioner emphasized that if young people view inappropriate content for their age, it could become increasingly extreme and cause harm. As a result, it may be challenging for children to comprehend the implications and make appropriate choices.

Also read: ChatGPT Threats: ChatGPT maker to propose remedies over Italian ban