The United Kingdom's privacy watchdog has ramped up scrutiny over social media platforms, launching investigations against TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur concerning how they handle the privacy of minors using their services.
On March 3, 2025, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) announced its focus on TikTok for its practices related to users aged 13 to 17 years. The investigation is part of growing concerns about how young users are exposed to potentially harmful content on these platforms.
Specifically, the ICO is examining TikTok's methods for using personal data to recommend videos, which could lead minors to inappropriate or harmful material. This inquiry follows previous actions against TikTok, which included substantial fines of £12.7 million (approximately $15.9 million) for breaching data protection laws by utilizing the data of children under 13 without the requisite parental consent.
Alongside TikTok, the ICO is also investigating Reddit and Imgur, focusing on how these platforms verify the ages of their users and their policies surrounding the use of children’s personal information. The ICO announced, "The investigations are part of our efforts to design digital services protecting children. At this stage, we are investigating whether there have been any infringements of data protection legislation." John Edwards, the UK Information Commissioner, added, "If we find sufficient evidence of breaches of the law, we will approach these companies for their responses before reaching any conclusions."
This heightened scrutiny forms part of broader regulatory efforts by UK authorities to usher social media companies toward accountable practices. Last year, for example, Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, launched and then suspended its own investigation involving OnlyFans, indicating the complexity of enforcing regulations across different platforms.
John Edwards highlighted the increased obligation of social media companies, stating, "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." This statement emphasizes the need for proper adherence to regulations ensuring the safety of children accessing their services.
Concerns around child safety are palpable among parents, as evidenced by research from the ICO, indicating over 42% of British parents feel they have little or no control over the data collected from their children by platforms like TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur. This lack of parental oversight raises significant ethical questions about the digital footprint of minors.
Following past infractions, including instances where TikTok allowed access to approximately 1.4 million UK children below the age limit to create accounts, regulators are more determined than ever to impose strict compliance measures. The ICO has made it clear through its latest investigations and findings, detailing the potential legal ramifications for companies failing to protect the privacy of children.
The ICO's dedication to holding firms accountable is aimed at creating safer online environments for children. Their proactive stance suggests they will continue to explore any breaches of data protection laws, ensuring future regulations are honored across social media platforms.
Both TikTok and Reddit did not provide comments when approached for insights concerning the investigations, demonstrating the secrecy often found within corporate responses to regulatory scrutiny.
Overall, the ICO's investigations signal the UK's increasing resolve to tackle privacy issues affecting children online. This is not just about regulatory compliance; it reflects the need for social media platforms to take their responsibilities seriously and implement measures to protect younger audiences. Only time will tell how these investigations will impact the operational practices of the involved platforms and the wider social media ecosystem.