The United Kingdom’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has launched an investigation into TikTok, alongside online platforms Reddit and Imgur, to examine how these services handle the personal data of teenage users.
The probe focuses on whether these platforms are properly protecting the data of young users—particularly those aged 13 to 17—and how they use that information to personalize content and recommendations. The investigation is part of a broader effort to ensure that digital platforms comply with child data protection laws and do not expose minors to harmful or inappropriate content.
Focus on Age Verification and Data Use
The ICO stated that it will scrutinize how Reddit and Imgur use children’s personal information and what age assurance mechanisms they have in place—such as methods for verifying a child’s age and tailoring the online experience accordingly.
Regulators are increasingly concerned about how social media algorithms process data generated by children’s online activity to power content recommendations. The potential for these systems to serve inappropriate or harmful material to young users has prompted growing calls for stricter oversight.
John Edwards, the UK Information Commissioner, told the PA news agency that the investigation aims to ensure companies have robust protections in place for minors.
“It’s not just about what data they’re collecting—it’s about how these systems operate,” Edwards explained.
“What worries me is whether these protections are strong enough to prevent children from being harmed, whether by addictive platform design, exposure to disturbing content, or other unsafe practices.”
ICO’s Children’s Code in Action
In 2021, the ICO introduced the Children’s Code—a data privacy framework requiring companies to take extra measures to safeguard children’s data online. The current investigation will assess whether the platforms in question have adhered to the code and broader data protection laws.
The ICO emphasized that the investigation is not singling out TikTok, but rather part of a wider effort to understand how social media platforms handle the sensitive data of minors. Should the regulator find evidence of legal violations, it will confront the platforms and seek their responses before issuing any final decisions or sanctions.
A spokesperson for TikTok has been contacted for comment, though no official response has been issued yet.
This investigation highlights the growing global concern around youth safety in the digital space, especially as teenagers become more active on platforms that may not be adequately designed with their protection in mind.
