TikTok Profiting From Livestreams Involving Children According To BBC Reports

The UK’s data watchdog is cracking down on TikTok’s handling of children’s personal information in what it calls a “major investigation.” The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is looking into how the social media giant processes data from 13 to 17-year-olds and whether its algorithm-driven content recommendations could be causing harm—whether through excessive screen time or potential data leaks.

TikTok, unsurprisingly, has defended its approach, telling Tom Gerken from The BBC that its recommender systems operate under “strict and comprehensive measures that protect the privacy and safety of teens.” The company also insisted that “robust restrictions” are in place to filter the content younger users see.

But Information Commissioner John Edwards isn’t entirely convinced. He highlighted that TikTok’s algorithm thrives on gathering personal data from user activity—such as profile information, clicks, and watch times—meaning it falls under strict UK regulations.

MORE: One Out Of Five Children Lie About Their Age Online

DISCOVER: How to Stop Your iPhone from Secretly Tracking You: 3 Key Settings to Change

The Bigger Picture: Reddit & Imgur Also in the Spotlight

It’s not just TikTok under scrutiny. The ICO is also investigating Reddit and Imgur to assess how well these platforms verify users’ ages and whether they are enforcing age restrictions effectively.

Reddit has become one of the UK’s most popular platforms, even overtaking X (formerly Twitter), according to Ofcom. Imgur, meanwhile, boasts over 250 million global users, though there’s no official breakdown of how many are based in the UK.

Edwards made it clear that self-declaration—where users simply enter their own age—probably won’t cut it. “There are a number of different technologies and techniques that are available,” he told the BBC, adding that the level of rigour should match the potential risks involved.

MORE: Teens are using social media to diagnose themselves with mental health issues

DISCOVER: Tinder is introducing background checks

Reddit responded by saying that 95% of its users are adults and that it plans to introduce new age-verification measures to comply with updated UK regulations. Imgur, on the other hand, has yet to comment.

What Happens Next?

The investigations don’t necessarily mean TikTok, Reddit, or Imgur have broken any laws—yet. However, if found guilty of non-compliance, these platforms could face enforcement notices and hefty fines.

“We are patrolling, and there will be consequences for breaches of the law,” Edwards warned.

MORE: TikTok may be causing ‘tics’ in teenage girls

DISCOVER: Should you be hiding your children’s faces online?

This isn’t TikTok’s first run-in with the ICO. In 2023, the platform was fined £12.7 million for misusing children’s data, a decision it is still appealing.

With AI-driven algorithms dominating social media, the debate over data privacy, children’s online safety, and tech accountability isn’t going away anytime soon. As the ICO tightens its grip, platforms may soon have to prove they’re not just prioritising engagement—but also ethics.