Movies

Justice Department sues TikTok for allegedly violating child privacy laws

BBG News

As a seasoned movie critic with a keen eye for the drama unfolding behind the screens, both on and off the silver one, I find myself drawn to the ongoing saga of TikTok, a platform that has captivated millions with its vibrant, engaging content. However, this latest chapter in its story reads more like a suspenseful courtroom thriller than a light-hearted comedy.

The legal pressure on TikTok just got more intense.

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against TikTok and its Chinese owner ByteDance, claiming they violated child privacy regulations. The suit alleges that the companies gathered personal data from children under 13 without first obtaining parental consent.

The current lawsuit follows a past settlement between TikTok and the Federal Trade Commission in 2019, where they were accused of breaking the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act by the agency. As a result, TikTok paid a $5.7 million fine. Since this settlement, the company has been under a court order to adhere to the act, according to the Department of Justice.

“Benjamin C. Mizer, acting head of the Department, expressed worry that TikTok has persisted in gathering and storing children’s personal data, in violation of a court order. The Department aims to make sure that TikTok adheres to its responsibility to safeguard children’s privacy and respect parents’ attempts to shield their kids, with this move.”

TikTok contests the accusations, explaining that several points made by the government concern matters from the past that have already been resolved.

“In a statement, TikTok representative Alex Haurek expressed pride in our commitment to safeguarding children. We are constantly working on enhancing and refining the platform, and here’s how we do it:

The popular app, like other tech platforms, has options for children and adults.

New users on TikTok are prompted to provide their age during sign-up, which enables them to access a kid-friendly mode that restricts the content they can view.

According to the DOJ’s lawsuit, TikTok allows children to bypass safety measures and create adult accounts without much effort. Moreover, it is alleged that TikTok has placed undue obstacles for parents who wish to delete their children’s accounts. Additionally, the government claims in its suit that TikTok kept the email addresses of child users reporting issues beyond the required period, which is against the law.

“The lawsuit claims that due to inadequate policies and procedures, defendants allowed minors to establish standard TikTok accounts, providing access to mature content and platform features. This was done without requiring age verification.”

As a dedicated user and advocate for TikTok, I can’t help but express my worries about its future within the United States. With over 170 million users nationwide, it continues to be a powerful force in social media. However, the government has voiced concerns regarding TikTok’s links to China, leading to potential uncertainties. In April, President Biden enacted a law that could potentially ban the service if ByteDance fails to divest its U.S. operations. I eagerly await updates on this matter and hope for a resolution that ensures the continued enjoyment of this popular platform.

In May, TikTok filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, claiming that the law infringes upon its right to freedom of expression as protected by the First Amendment.

TikTok’s main offices are located in both Singapore and Culver City. As of April, it was approximated that around 500 individuals were working for TikTok in Culver City.

In May, TikTok announced plans for workforce reduction due to restructuring, affecting 58 employees in Culver City, including senior business analysts and creative design specialists. This was disclosed through a notice filed with California’s Employment Development Department, also known as a WARN notice. These employees were given the opportunity to apply for other open positions within TikTok.

Read More

2024-08-04 18:14

Previous post Odeon to close two London cinemas this week
Next post Gene Gallagher weighs in on THOSE Oasis reunion rumours as he supports his famous father Liam on tour