TikTok, the widely used social network from China, faced a £12.7 million penalty in the United Kingdom after regulators determined it failed to adequately prevent underage usage. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) concluded that even with warnings, the platform allowed many children to use services they were not eligible for, violating the platform’s terms of service.
Investigators found that the identities of younger users were not properly verified and that underage accounts did not receive the necessary scrutiny or removal when flagged by internal staff. The ICO stressed that safeguards should have been stronger to ensure only eligible users could access the service, aligning with data protection and child safety laws. The regulator summarized the position by saying existing laws shield children online and offline, and TikTok did not fully comply with these protections. The decision reflected concern that the platform did not adequately verify who was using it, despite internal warnings.
Despite the seriousness of the findings, the final penalty came to £12.7 million, lower than the £27 million originally claimed. The reduction followed the ICO’s decision not to pursue an investigation into potential use of sensitive or special category data, which could include information about race, political beliefs, religion, sexual orientation, or biometric data.
TikTok rejected the ICO’s ruling and said it was evaluating next steps. The company did express satisfaction that the final fine was reduced.
Government Veto and Cybersecurity Concerns
In a broader move on digital security, the British government recently blocked a wider use of China-developed devices within government operations due to cybersecurity concerns. The decision, announced in Parliament, restricts the use of such devices by civil servants and ministers on official networks, while personal devices are not affected. The measure followed an assessment by the National Cyber Security Centre, which highlighted risks to official data and communications.
The government’s stance signals a shift toward tighter digital governance and stricter controls over tools used in public sector work. For ministers and civil servants, security takes priority over convenience, and personal preferences should not override official security requirements on government devices.
Observers see this as part of a broader trend toward stronger data protection and safer online environments for public administration. Regulators continue to refine guidelines, and both platforms and government bodies are pressed to strengthen verification processes, monitor usage more carefully, and install robust safeguards to protect users and state networks.
Overall, the TikTok penalty and the government’s cybersecurity stance illustrate the growing emphasis on protecting young users, enforcing age-appropriate access online, and maintaining secure digital workplaces. The evolving policy landscape urges platforms to implement clearer verification checks, while public institutions tighten how devices and apps are managed on official networks.