Information Commissioner John Edwards said upholding children’s information rights was a “priority” area for the ICO.
“We welcome the technology and innovation that companies like social media bring to the U.K. and want them to thrive in our economy. But this cannot be at the expense of children’s privacy,” he said.
“My message is simple. If social media and video sharing platforms want to benefit from operating in the UK they must comply with data protection law.”
The ICO said it would work closely with Ofcom, which is responsible for enforcement of the Online Safety Act, to make sure their efforts are coordinated.
A TikTok spokesperson said: “We’re deeply committed to ensuring a positive experience for young people on TikTok, just like the ICO.”
“Our recommender systems are designed and operate under strict and comprehensive measures that protect the privacy and safety of teens, including industry-leading safety features and robust restrictions on the content allowed in teens’ feeds,” they said.
