European regulators have slapped TikTok with a $368 million fine for failing to protect children's privacy

European regulators slapped TikTok with a $368 million fine on Friday for failing to protect children’s privacy, the first time that the popular short video-sharing app has been punished for breaching Europe’s strict data privacy rules.

Ireland’s Data Protection Commission, the lead privacy regulator for Big Tech companies whose European headquarters are largely in Dublin, said it was fining TikTok 345 million euros and reprimanding the platform for the violations dating to the second half of 2020.

The investigation found that the sign-up process for teen users resulted in settings that made their accounts public by default, allowing anyone to view and comment on their videos. Those default settings also posed a risk to children under 13 who gained access to the platform even though they’re not allowed.

Also, a “family pairing" feature designed for parents to manage settings wasn’t strict enough, allowing adults to turn on direct messaging for users aged 16 and 17 without their consent. And it nudged teen users into more “privacy intrusive” options when signing up and posting videos, the watchdog said.

  • JJROKCZ@lemmy.worldEnglish
    103·
    1 year ago

    It needs to be a punishment or they consider it cost of business, it we say % of profit then they start employing Hollywood style accounting where nothing is ever profitable

    • severien@lemmy.world
      22·
      1 year ago

      I’m pretty sure that TikTok can’t afford paying $400 million fine every month or so as “cost of doing business”, so they will fix the issue pretty quickly.

          • TJA!@sh.itjust.works
            22·
            1 year ago

            I do not see it in the article that the fine was repeating monthly until they fix these issues? Can you show me where it says that?

            • severien@lemmy.world
              2·
              1 year ago

              That’s just how the GDPR fines work. They are going to get fined until they fix the problems.

              • TJA!@sh.itjust.works
                11·
                1 year ago

                Oh, I did not know that. Do you have a source where I can read more? A quick Google search did not result in anything.

          • JJROKCZ@lemmy.worldEnglish
            23·
            1 year ago

            Because it is, they made so much more than that and have harmed these kids lives by hooking them into social media so early

        • severien@lemmy.world
          3·
          1 year ago

          They are going to get fined until they fix the problem. The interval is not defined, it’s up to the discretion of the office.