A British data watchdog imposed a fine of £12.7 million ($15.9 million) on the video-sharing application TikTok on Tuesday over an alleged breach of data protection law.
The accusation was, among others, that TikTok processed the data of children under the age of 13 without their parents’ consent.
UK data-protection law says that organizations that use personal data when offering information society services to children under 13 must have consent from their parents or carers.
“TikTok failed to do that, even though it ought to have been aware that under 13s were using its platform. TikTok also failed to carry out adequate checks to identify and remove underage children from its platform,” according to the press release….