Overview

• The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has launched investigations into TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur over their handling of children's personal data and age verification processes.
• TikTok's use of data from teenagers aged 13-17 to power its recommendation algorithms is under scrutiny, with concerns about potential exposure to harmful or inappropriate content.
• Investigations into Reddit and Imgur focus on their use of children's data and the effectiveness of their age assurance measures to protect younger users.
• The ICO aims to determine whether any of these platforms have violated UK data protection laws and will engage the companies for responses before reaching conclusions.
• The investigations follow prior ICO actions, including a £12.7 million fine imposed on TikTok in 2023 for allowing underage users and misusing their data.