Social media large TikTok sued by former youngsters’s commissioner over ‘shady’ knowledge assortment coverage | Science & Tech Information

The former England Children’s Commissioner has initiated legal proceedings against TikTok on behalf of 3.5 million children under the age of 13.

Anne Longfield has claimed that the social media platform has been illegally collecting personal information from millions of children since May 2018 – when the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was introduced.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for millions of potentially affected children who Ms. Longfield said could cost billions of pounds.

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The claim argues that Tick ​​tockFounded by the Chinese company ByteDance, the company has deliberately breached data protection regulations and collected children’s personal information without warning, transparency, or required consent.

It is also alleged that personal information was collected without the knowledge of parents and children.

This is the latest development in the lawsuit against the video-sharing app after the High Court ruled in December that a 12-year-old girl supported by Ms. Longfield could bring this Dispute with TikTok anonymously.

According to TikTok guidelines in the UK, children under the age of 13 are not allowed to use the app. Those who download them will be asked to enter their ages when they join.

Numbers suggest that many under 13s use the platform.

Ms. Longfield said she felt the app’s data collection guidelines were generally “excessive for a video sharing app” but was most concerned about “collecting industrial-scale data without the kids or parents.” notice this “.

TikTok’s data collection policy is listed on the website, but Ms. Longfield said her practices are “hidden” and “shady”.

“In relation to what they record there, there are addresses, names, dates of birth, their preferences, their interests, which they follow, their habits – all this – the profiling material, but also the exact geolocation, which is very much outside of what would be deemed appropriate, “she said.

“You shouldn’t do that if they’re kids.”

Ms. Longfield has accused TikTok of “intentionally obscuring” who has access to data, but notes that the company generates billions in advertising revenue generated by providing user information to advertisers.

A TikTok spokesperson said, “Privacy and security are top priorities for TikTok. We have solid policies, processes and technology in place to protect all users, especially our teenage users.

“We believe the allegations are unfounded and we intend to vigorously defend the action.”

Ms. Longfield, who hired US process specialist Scott + Scott, hopes it will be a “powerful test case” that would be a “wake-up call” for other social media platforms.

She added that she hoped to force TikTok to wipe the data and take new measures to protect children.

“I want them to understand the problem, stop collecting the illegal data, delete the illegal data, and put security in place so that they can demonstrate that they are acting responsibly,” she said.

“I would love to see them reassure parents – they have put some measures in place in the last few months – great. I love when people take action, but while this is absolutely the core of the business model, every measure has won.” I am not getting to the point of what needs to be done.

“I think they have to let the parents know, they have to stop, they have to erase it and take action and then see how they will rebuild trust – I think that’s really what we’re doing.” I am talking about it. “

TikTok is one of the world’s most popular apps – especially among young people – and has around 100 million users in Europe alone.

The COVID-19 pandemic, where many children study online at home, has contributed to their success.

In January, TikTok has tightened data protection regulations to protect children under the age of 16All accounts for anyone under the age of 16 have been changed to private.