Tens of thousands of parents file a claim against TikTok for 'flawed' protection

More than 64,000 parents from Europe have filed a compensation claim with TikTok. They feel that the app does not protect the safety and privacy of their children well enough.

Hart van Nederland, 2nd June 2021 (in Dutch)

The Foundation for Market Information Research (SOMI) has brought the case on behalf of these parents. According to the organization, the popular app collects data from children without asking permission. In addition, TikTok would do too little to protect children, for example in 'challenges', where children have died abroad.

SOMI has often sent letters to TikTok to draw attention to the safety and privacy of children. "We wrote letters before the subpoena went out to tackle the problem, but they didn't. They say they are already taking all steps to make it safe," said co-founder Cor Wijtvliet.

Worry about using social media

According to Wijtvliet, a recent study by research agency Multiscope shows that the use of TikTok in the Netherlands is highest among twelve-year-olds at 64 percent. Children under the age of 16 would not need parental consent for an account.

Parents are especially concerned about strangers approaching their child and are being harassed for, for example, scamming or sending sexually explicit photos. This is the conclusion of a study by Terre des Hommes. 35 percent of parents indicate that their child or a child they know has reported an unpleasant situation online.

Read the full article (in Dutch): https://www.hartvannederland.nl/nieuws/claim-ouders-tiktok-gebrekkige-bescherming