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Britain’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has launched an investigation into TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur over their handling of children's data and privacy protections. The probe focuses on how these platforms use algorithms to suggest content to users aged 13-17 and whether they adequately enforce age verification measures.
The ICO is scrutinizing TikTok’s use of minors’ personal data for content recommendations. A TikTok spokesperson stated that the platform employs strict measures to protect teen users by limiting content visibility. However, TikTok has faced penalties before, including a £12.7 million ($16 million) fine in 2023 for illegally processing data from children under 13 without parental consent.
Reddit, which primarily serves an adult audience, confirmed its cooperation with the ICO and plans to introduce new age verification updates in compliance with UK regulations. Imgur has not yet responded to inquiries regarding its child data policies.
The UK has recently enforced stricter laws requiring social media companies to prevent minors from accessing harmful content through age verification systems. Under proposed regulations, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok must refine their algorithms to suppress harmful material targeting children.
If the ICO finds evidence of violations, companies under investigation will be required to respond before final conclusions are reached. This latest scrutiny highlights growing concerns over online safety for minors and the responsibility of social media platforms to protect young users from potential harm.
