Britain’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has launched an investigation into how social media platforms TikTok, Reddit, and image-sharing website Imgur safeguard children’s privacy. The investigation focuses on how these companies handle and protect the personal data of children, particularly those aged 13 to 17.
The ICO’s probe will assess whether TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, is using personal information from young users to recommend content in their feeds. Similarly, Reddit and Imgur are being scrutinized for how they verify the age of child users on their platforms.
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The ICO emphasized that if evidence of privacy violations is found, the companies involved will be given a chance to respond before any final conclusions are drawn. The investigation follows a previous £12.7 million ($16 million) fine imposed on TikTok in 2023 for using children’s data without parental consent.
In response, Reddit confirmed that it is working closely with the ICO and plans to introduce changes this year to comply with updated UK regulations on age assurance. ByteDance, TikTok, and Imgur have not yet commented on the investigation.
This probe comes as Britain enforces stricter rules for social media platforms, requiring them to implement measures that prevent children from accessing harmful or age-inappropriate content. Platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram are also mandated to adjust their algorithms to reduce exposure to harmful material, ensuring better protection for younger users.
