Tiktok Sued Over Children’s Data Concerns

What is the case

• TikTok has a global user base of over 800 million people.
• TikTok, the famous video and content sharing app, is facing a lawsuit in the UK over its use of children's data, raising new privacy concerns.
• Anne Longfield, a former children's commissioner in England, filed the lawsuit, claiming that the app may have obtained personal details from any child who has used the app since May 2018, regardless of their account status or privacy settings.
• Without notice or consent, the app uses children's private details, such as phone numbers, location, and biometric data, for the benefit of unknown third parties.

What are the arguments of the plaintiff

• In the United Kingdom alone, over 3.5 million children are affected.
• Something even more sinister lurks underneath the fun tunes, dance competitions, and lip-sync crazes says Anne Longfield.
• Scott and Scott, a law firm, is handling the litigation.
• Tiktok is accused of violating European and UK data privacy laws by processing children's data without appropriate security measures, accountability, guardians' permission, or legitimate interest, according to the petitioners, who are represented by law firm Scott & Scott.
• The lawsuit, which is currently being heard in the High Court, demands that the firm remove all of the sensitive details of children and seeks billions of pounds in damages.

What is the argument of the defendant

• In response, TikTok said it will battle the lawsuit, claiming that the allegations "lack validity." Privacy and safety are top priorities for TikTok, and we have robust policies, processes, and technology in place to help protect all users, particularly our teen users. We believe the allegations are without substance, and we plan to vigorously defend ourselves.”

Background of Tiktok Data Concerns

• It's not the first time Tiktok, which has around 100 million users in Europe, has been chastised for its data practices.
• The Federal Trade Commission fined TikTok's parent company Bytedance USD 5.7 million in 2019 to settle charges that it unlawfully obtained information from minors.
• According to reports, if the case is successful, the children involved may be entitled to tens of thousands of pounds in compensation.
• Tiktok was blocked in India last year as part of a broader crackdown on Chinese-owned applications due to security concerns, and the UK privacy watchdog is reportedly looking into the software.

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