Data Watchdog Group Fines TikTok For Letting Young Users Join App Without Parental Consent
By Movieguide® Contributor
TikTok is facing almost $29 million in fines after a UK data watchdog group found that the app was failing to protect children’s privacy.
The nation’s Information Commissioner’s Office investigated the app and found that TikTok may have processed the data of users who were under 13 years old without parental consent.
ICO also claims the app failed to provide proper information to users in a transparent manner, and processed certain categories of data without legal authorization.
The organization issued TikTok and its UK division a notice of intent, which precedes any potential fines.
“We all want children to be able to learn and experience the digital world, but with proper data privacy protections,” IOC Information Commissioner John Edwards stated. “Companies providing digital services have a legal duty to put those protections in place, but our provisional view is that TikTok fell short of meeting that requirement.”
He continued, “I’ve been clear that our work to better protect children online involves working with organizations but will also involve enforcement action where necessary. In addition to this, we are currently looking into how over 50 different online services are conforming with the Children’s code and have six ongoing investigations looking into companies providing digital services who haven’t, in our initial view, taken their responsibilities around child safety seriously enough.”
Perhaps the fines will encourage TikTok to better protect children who sign up for the service.
Movieguide® previously reported on TikTok’s efforts to cater to younger users:
Popular video sharing app TikTok plans to roll out new content maturity rating system for videos for users under the age of 18.
The rating system will organize videos based on “thematic maturity,” and flag videos that contain “mature or complex themes.” It will also give videos a “maturity score.”
A video’s rating will determine whether or not TikTok users under the age of 18 will be able to view it while scrolling through the app.
“Within these strict policies, we understand that people may want to avoid certain categories of content based on their personal preferences,” TikTok’s Head of Trust and Safety Cormac Keenan saidin the announcement about the new system. “Or, for our teenage community members, some content may contain mature or complex themes that may reflect personal experiences or real-world events that are intended for older audiences.”
In addition to blocking inappropriate or sexual content from under-18 users’ feeds, the rating system will also restrict them from seeing fictional scenes that are “too frightening or intense for younger audiences.”
It is unclear how TikTok will verify that a user is over 18. The app already has age restrictions in place, putting those under the age of 12 in the “TikTok for Younger Users experience” category.
This allows parental control and limits interaction with other users.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
