Data leak scandals have become a major problem for digital companies. Popular names like Facebook, Google lost big money last year due to this. And now, Chinese video-sharing platform TikTok(Earlier known as Music.ly) is facing problems for the same cause.
After being proved that it saved data of underage children, TikTok has agreed to pay $5.7 million to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations.
Also Read: Platforms Like TikTok, Vigo Video May Get Banned Soon. Here’s Why
Data of children under the age of 13 included names, email addresses and, for a period, user locations, the FTC said.
The case was started after a referral from the Better Business Bureau’s Children’s Advertising Review Unit. Musica.ly allowed users to create videos of them lip syncing and showed profile information and bios for private accounts and allowed direct messages to be sent, according to the FTC complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The complaint also noted multiple cases of adults messaging children on the app.
TikTok’s reply
In reply to these allegations, TikTok had said:
The data collection in question is no longer standard practice and took place before Musica.ly and TikTok merged last year
To assure safety, TikTok is planning to filter younger users into an app experience with stricter protections. Current users are being asked to verify there age by providing a copy of a government ID.
“We care deeply about the safety and privacy of our users,” a TikTok statement posted Wednesday said. “This is an ongoing commitment, and we are continuing to expand and evolve our protective measures in support of this.”
Source: AdageIndia
