TikTok might face a GBP 27 million (roughly Rs. 236 crore) nice within the UK over a attainable breach of UK information safety legislation by failing to guard youngsters’s privateness when they’re utilizing the video-sharing platform.

The UK Information Commissioner’s Office stated Monday that it has issued the social media firm a authorized doc that precedes a possible nice. It stated TikTok might have processed the info of kids below 13 with out applicable parental consent, and processed “special category data” with out authorized grounds to take action.

The commissioner stated “special category data” included ethnic and racial origin, political beliefs, non secular beliefs and sexual orientation.

It additionally stated TikTok might have failed to offer clear, simply understood data to its customers. The authorized doc lined the interval from May 2018 to July 2020.

Information Commissioner John Edwards stated the physique’s provisional view was that TikTok “fell short” of offering correct information privateness protections. The physique stated its findings usually are not last and that it’s going to take into account any representations from TikTok earlier than making a last choice.

“While we respect the ICO’s position in safeguarding privateness within the UK, we disagree with the preliminary views expressed and intend to formally reply to the ICO,” said a statement released by TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance.

Britain’s government is pushing through its online safety bill, which requires technology companies to protect children from harmful content.

The Information Commissioner’s Office said it has six other ongoing investigations into companies that do not appear to have taken their responsibilities around child safety seriously enough.