TikTok may have broken UK data protection laws that protect children's privacy
According to the UK's data watchdog, TikTok could be hit with a £27 million fine for failing to safeguard children's privacy online. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) looked into the matter, and they discovered that between May 2018 and July 2020, the video-sharing app may have violated UK data protection laws.
About the ICO investigation
According to the ICO's investigation, the corporation may have used personal information from children younger than 13 without getting the necessary consent from those children's parents or guardians. It also collected special category data without adequate legal grounds and failed to offer clear and straightforward information to its users.
ICO also stated that these findings are preliminary. We can't conclude that there was a violation of data protection laws that calls for a fine without listening to the company's representatives. TikTok's arguments will be taken into consideration before making a final decision.
How TikTok responded to the findings
TikTok issued a statement saying it did not agree with the preliminary findings but will wait for the conclusion. However, parents worldwide are concerned that a breach of privacy can have severe consequences such as identity theft or information misuse.
A lot of people in Europe are worried that their children's personal information might be at risk on the social networking site, so the ICO has been scrutinizing the video-sharing app closely. The investigation into the company's alleged mishandling of children's data is drawing to a close in Ireland, where TikTok has its EU headquarters.
The ICO's maximum penalty for TikTok would be equal to 4% of the company's yearly revenue. The organization is committed to making the digital world a safe and secure space for children, ensuring the right data protection laws are always in place.
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