A 12-year-old girl in England may be taking legal action against video-sharing app TikTok on the premise that the app uses children’s data unlawfully.
The movement is encouraged by, children’s commissioner for England, Anne Longfield. Longfield is convinced that TikTok have broken protection laws. The argues this because the app gathers data to help with its infamous algorithm, which is known to be very specific. Longfield stated that she would hope that this case would prompt TikTok to delete data from children.
TikTok is not newcomer when it comes to facing legal challenges. In a similar situation in 2019, TikTok was charged £4.2m by the US Federal Trade Commission for how it collects children’s data. This year, the app was fined £123,000 Korea Communications Commission in South Korea.
TikTok has commented: “Privacy and safety are top priorities for TikTok and we have robust policies, processes and technologies in place to protect all users, and our younger users in particular. As this application was made without notice, we first became aware of the application and the High Court’s judgment [on Wednesday] and are currently considering its implications.”
TikTok argues that the app does not let those who are under 13 join the app and actively seeks to remove accounts of those under 13.