UK watchdog investigates TikTok and Reddit over child data privacy concerns

The UK's data protection watchdog has launched three investigations into certain social media platforms following concerns about the protection of privacy among teenage users.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) said it has begun reviews into how TikTok, Reddit and image sharing platform Imgur protect the privacy of youger users.

It said TikTok uses personal information belonging to people between the age of 13 and 17 to make recommendations and serve new content, which could lead to young people being served inappropriate or harmful material.

John Edwards, Information Commissioner, said: "My message is simple. If social media and video sharing platforms want to benefit from operating in the UK they must comply with data protection law.

"The responsibility to keep children safe online lies firmly at the door of the companies offering these services and my office is steadfast in its commitment to hold them to account," he said ...