The popular social media platform TikTok is once again under fire for its handling of children’s privacy. A complaint has been filed with the U.S. Department of Justice over concerns that TikTok is violating the privacy rights of children by collecting and sharing their personal information.
The complaint, filed by a group of child privacy advocates, alleges that TikTok is in violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), a federal law that prohibits websites and online services from collecting personal information from children under the age of 13 without parental consent.
According to the complaint, TikTok is collecting a wealth of personal information from its young users, including their location, device information, and browsing history. This information is then used to target them with personalized ads and content, potentially exposing them to online predators and other risks.
The complaint also alleges that TikTok fails to obtain proper consent from parents before collecting this information, in violation of COPPA. Despite the platform’s terms of service stating that users must be at least 13 years old to create an account, it is well-known that many children under this age are using the app.
In response to the complaint, a TikTok spokesperson stated, “TikTok is committed to providing a safe and secure platform for all of our users, including children. We take the issue of privacy very seriously and are constantly working to improve our privacy practices and policies.”
This is not the first time that TikTok has faced scrutiny over its privacy practices. In 2019, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fined the company $5.7 million for violating COPPA by collecting personal information from children without parental consent.
As more and more children are using social media platforms like TikTok, it is crucial that companies take the necessary steps to protect their privacy. Parents should be informed about the risks of their children using these platforms and be encouraged to monitor their online activities.
It remains to be seen what action the U.S. Department of Justice will take in response to the complaint filed against TikTok. In the meantime, it is essential for parents to educate themselves and their children about online privacy and safety measures to protect them from potential risks.
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