The UK could fine TikTok £27m for failing to protect children's privacy

The United Kingdom may fine TikTok 27 million pounds (about 209 million yuan). A previous investigation found that TikTok may have violated UK data protection laws by failing to protect the privacy of children while using the social media platform.

The investigation found that TikTok may have processed the data of children under the age of 13 without proper parental consent and failed to provide its users with appropriate information in a transparent manner.

In a statement, the regulator said the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) had issued a "Notice of Intent" to TikTok and TikTok Information Technology UK Ltd.

A TikTok spokesperson said in an emailed statement: “While we respect the role of ICOs in protecting privacy in the UK, we disagree with the preliminary views expressed and intend to formally respond to ICOs in due course. "

The ICO's provisional view is that TikTok violated UK data protection laws between May 2018 and July 2020.

In July, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee voted to approve a measure that would raise the age for giving children special online privacy protections to 16 and ban companies like TikTok and Snapchat from targeting children without consent.