The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has opened three separate investigations into TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur concerning how they protect children's privacy in the UK.
The investigation into TikTok specifically examines how the platform uses the personal data of 13-17-year-olds in the UK to generate recommendations and deliver content to their feeds. The TikTok investigation responds to growing concerns about social media platforms using children's online activity data in their recommendation systems, which can potentially expose young users to harmful or inappropriate content.
Meanwhile, the investigations into Reddit and Imgur are focused on their use of UK children's personal information and the effectiveness of their age assurance measures.
The three investigations are part of the ICO's broader initiative to ensure digital services are designed with child protection in mind.
In a related blog article, Emily Keaney, Deputy Commissioner for Regulatory Policy at the ICO addressed the challenges of protecting children's personal data online. Keaney highlights that while parenting involves teaching children about real-world safety, the complexities of online safety, especially on social media platforms where children spend a significant amount of time, are often overwhelming for parents.
Supporting its conclusions, the ICO revealed new research indicating that 42% of British parents feel they lack control over the data social media platforms collect about their children. A further 23% of respondents said that they have stopped using certain platforms over data collection and use concerns.
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