UK Investigates TikTok, Reddit Over Child Data Privacy Concerns

The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has launched an investigation into TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur over concerns about their handling of children’s personal data. The probe follows rising fears that social media platforms may be exposing young users to harmful or inappropriate content, prompting regulators to take action.

According to Information Commissioner John Edwards, tech companies must take full responsibility for protecting children online. The ICO’s investigation will focus on how TikTok processes the personal data of 13- to 17-year-olds for content recommendations, while Reddit and Imgur face scrutiny over their age verification measures and data privacy practices.

In response, TikTok defended its safety measures, stating that it has robust content restrictions and industry-leading protections for teenagers. However, Reddit and Imgur have yet to respond to the allegations. The ICO’s move signals growing regulatory pressure on social media platforms to strengthen child protection policies.

This isn’t TikTok’s first run-in with UK regulators. In 2023, the ICO fined the platform millions of pounds for failing to obtain parental consent before collecting data from underage users. With this fresh investigation, the UK is once again cracking down on tech giants over child safety concerns.