London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Social media giant TikTok sued by former children's commissioner over 'shady' data collection policy

Social media giant TikTok sued by former children's commissioner over 'shady' data collection policy

Anna Longfield is calling on TikTok to protect under-13s who use the app. Damages in the case could run into billions of pounds.

The former children's commissioner for England has launched legal proceedings on behalf of 3.5 million children under 13 against TikTok.

Anne Longfield has alleged that the social media platform has illegally collected personal data from millions of children since May 2018 - when General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was introduced.

The lawsuit is seeking compensation for millions of potentially affected children, which Ms Longfield said could run into billions of pounds.

The claim argues that TikTok, which was founded by Chinese Company ByteDance, breached data protection rules wilfully, taking children's personal information without warning, transparency or the necessary consent.

It is also alleged that personal data was collected without the knowledge of parents and children.

This is the latest development in the lawsuit against the video-sharing app after the High Court ruled in December that a 12-year-old girl, who was supported by Ms Longfield, could bring the dispute with TikTok anonymously.

TikTok policies in the UK do not allow children under 13 to use the app and those downloading it are asked to input their age when they join.

Figures suggest that many under-13s use the platform.

Ms Longfield said she felt the app's data collection policies, in general, were "excessive for a video-sharing app" but was most troubled by the "collection of data on an industrial scale without either the kids or the parents realising".

TikTok's data collection policy is listed on its website, but Ms Longfield said she felt its practices were "hidden" and "shady".

"In terms of what they take there are addresses, names, date of birth information, their likes, their interests, who they follow, their habits - all of these - the profiling stuff, but also the exact geolocation, that is very much outside what would be deemed appropriate," she said.

"You shouldn't be doing that when it's kids."

Ms Longfield has accused TikTok of being "deliberately opaque" about who has access to data, but notes the company makes billions from advertising revenue generated by providing user information to advertisers.

A TikTok spokesperson said: "Privacy and safety are top priorities for TikTok and we have robust policies, processes and technologies in place to help protect all users and our teenage users in particular.

"We believe the claims lack merit and intend to vigorously defend the action."

Ms Longfield, who has instructed US litigation specialists Scott+Scott, hopes it would be a "powerful test case" which would be a "wake-up call" for other social media platforms.

She added that she hoped to force TikTok to delete the data and put new measures in place to protect children.

"I'd like to see them acknowledge the problem, stop collecting the illegal data, delete the illegal data they have and put safeguards in place, so they can demonstrate that they're acting responsibly," she said.

"I'd like to see them reassure parents - they have introduced some measures over recent months - great, I'm pleased when people take action, but while this is absolutely at the core of what the business model is, any action won't get to the heart of what needs to be done.

"So I think they need to communicate that to parents, they need to stop doing it, they need to delete it and put measures in place and then look at how they're going to rebuild trust - I think that really is what we're talking about."

TikTok is one of the world's most popular apps - especially among youngsters -- and has around 100 million users in Europe alone.

The COVID-19 pandemic, with many children having online learning at home, has helped cement its success.

In January, TikTok tightened privacy rules to protect under-16s, with any accounts for those under the age of 16 changed to private.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×