TikTok is still trying to prove to the United States government that users’ data is secured.
It is also trying to prove that the app is safe for use even as many countries are banning the app on official devices.
Now, TikTok is facing yet another problem, as it has been fined $15.9 Million in the United Kingdom.
Why TikTok Is Being Fined
Britain’s data regulator says that it has fined TikTok £12.7 million ($15.9 million).
The fine is because TikTok allows up to 1.4 million children under 13 to use its social media platform in violation of its own rules.
According to the United Kingdom Information Commissioner’s Office, TikTok broke a UK law.
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This was because the app failed to obtain the consent of parents or guardians to use the children’s data after they had set up accounts despite being too young.
“That means that their data may have been used to track them and profile them, potentially delivering harmful, inappropriate contents at their very next scroll,” says Information Commissioner John Edwards.
“There are laws in place to make sure our children are as safe in the digital world, as they are in the physical world,” he said in a statement.
“TikTok did not abide by those laws.”
TikTok Reacts
The Chinese video app has reacted to the findings and the fine from the ICO.
The app has disputed the findings of the ICO and revealed that it is considering the “next steps”.
“We will continue to review the decision and are considering next steps,” the company said in a statement.
“We invest heavily to help keep under 13s off the platform and our 40,000-strong safety team works around the clock to help keep the platform safe for our community,” the app says.
Nevertheless, TikTok has welcomed a decision by the ICO to slash the fine from £27 million.
The regulator had previously warned that it might impose a fine of $27 million.
