The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has investigated how TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur handle children’s privacy. The probe will assess how TikTok, owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, uses the personal data of users aged 13-17 to recommend content via its algorithm-driven feed.
Meanwhile, social media discussion platform Reddit and image-sharing site Imgur are under scrutiny regarding their methods for verifying the ages of child users, reports Reuters.
Social media platforms have been manipulating complex algorithms to keep users engaged. One technique is amplifying similar types of content. The ICO aims to determine whether platforms adequately protect young users from privacy violations and inappropriate content.
This is not the first time TikTok has faced regulatory action in the UK. In 2023, the ICO fined the platform £12.7 million ($16 million) for breaching data protection laws, specifically for unlawfully processing the personal data of children under 13 without parental consent.
“If we find there is sufficient evidence that any of these companies have broken the law, we will put this to them and obtain their representations before reaching a final conclusion,” said the ICO’s office.
Reddi has responded to the ICO’s probe, stating that it works closely with regulators to ensure compliance. The platform will also update its algorithm after the ICO investigation.
“Most of our users are adults, but we have plans to roll out changes this year that address updates to UK regulations around age assurance,” a Reddit spokesperson told Reuters.
The UK has introduced stringent online safety laws requiring social media platforms to enforce age restrictions and prevent children from accessing harmful content. Under the proposed measures published last year, platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, must adjust their algorithms to filter or downgrade unsafe content for minors.
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