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TikTok fined £12.7m for data protection breaches
Introduction
TikTok has been fined £12.7 million by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) due to several data protection violations, particularly concerning the handling of children's data. While the ICO had initially considered imposing a penalty of up to £27 million, TikTok's mitigations contributed to a reduced fine.
The investigation revealed multiple breaches related to the data of users under the age of 13, despite TikTok's policy stating that users must be 13 or older to create an account. The ICO estimates that approximately 1.4 million users on the platform are under 13 years old, having gained access by providing false birth dates. The primary concern is that TikTok failed to secure the necessary parental consent for those underage users.
The ICO's findings indicate that TikTok did not adequately inform users about how their data is utilized, making it challenging for individuals—especially younger ones—to make informed decisions. It was also noted that TikTok did not take enough action to identify and remove underage users from the platform, despite being aware of the potential presence of millions of such accounts. Senior executives at TikTok in the UK were reportedly made aware of these issues, yet insufficient action was taken to rectify the situation.
In response to the fine, TikTok expressed disagreement with the ICO's decision, stating that the platform is indeed for users aged 13 and older. The company emphasized its commitment to keeping underage users off the platform and noted that it has a robust safety team of 40,000 members working continuously on community safety.
This incident is just one in a series of pressures faced by TikTok in the Western political landscape, particularly concerning its Chinese ownership. The platform's CEO has faced intense scrutiny in the U.S. Congress, where a bill is being prepared that could grant the President authority to ban TikTok in the USA. Although initial bipartisan support for this ban appears to be waning, the UK and European Union have already taken steps to restrict TikTok on government devices due to concerns over data access by the Chinese state.
The ICO's fine highlights both the immediate risks associated with TikTok's popularity and its impact on children, posing grave questions about the safety and integrity of the data sharing practices on the platform.
Keywords
- TikTok
- £12.7 million fine
- Data protection breaches
- Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
- Children’s data
- Underage users
- Parental consent
- Data privacy
- Chinese ownership
- Safety team
FAQ
What was the fine amount TikTok received?
TikTok was fined £12.7 million by the Information Commissioner's Office.
Why did TikTok receive a fine?
The fine was issued due to several data protection breaches, particularly concerning the handling of data for users under the age of 13.
How many underage users are estimated to be on TikTok?
The Information Commissioner's Office estimates that around 1.4 million users under the age of 13 are using TikTok.
Did TikTok secure parental consent for underage users?
No, the ICO found that TikTok did not obtain the necessary parental consent from underage users.
How is TikTok responding to the fine?
TikTok has expressed disagreement with the fine and is considering its next steps, emphasizing its commitment to keeping underage users off the platform.
What broader implications does this fine have?
The fine reflects ongoing concerns about data privacy, particularly regarding the accessibility of user data by the Chinese state due to TikTok's ownership.