TikTok finds itself at the centre of a growing storm as campaigners and politicians accuse the Chinese-owned platform of backtracking on vital safety commitments made to protect young users.
The controversy erupted after the company reportedly abandoned plans to automatically default under-16s into more restrictive privacy settings, a move that had been hailed as a significant step forward in child protection.
Broken Promises
According to sources close to the discussions, TikTok had committed to implementing these automatic privacy protections as part of its child safety strategy. However, the platform appears to have performed a dramatic U-turn, leaving young users potentially exposed to unwanted contact from strangers.
Andy Burrows, head of child safety online policy at the NSPCC, didn't mince words: "This represents a deeply concerning departure from what was promised and raises serious questions about TikTok's commitment to keeping children safe."
Political Pressure Mounts
The revelation has triggered alarm bells in Westminster, with MPs from across the political spectrum expressing their dismay. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has confirmed it's seeking "urgent clarification" from TikTok about these developments.
This controversy comes at a particularly sensitive time, as the UK government prepares to introduce its landmark Online Safety Bill. The legislation aims to hold tech giants accountable for protecting users, especially children, from harmful content.
What This Means for Users
Without the promised automatic settings, young TikTok users and their parents now face additional responsibility for manually adjusting privacy controls. Safety experts warn that many may not be aware of the risks or how to properly configure these settings.
The platform's current approach requires users to actively choose stricter privacy settings rather than having them enabled by default - a crucial distinction that campaigners argue leaves vulnerable young people at risk.
Industry-Wide Implications
This development raises broader questions about the tech industry's willingness to self-regulate on safety matters. As one industry insider noted: "When platforms backtrack on safety commitments, it undermines trust across the entire sector and strengthens the case for robust legislation."
With the Online Safety Bill looming, TikTok's apparent change of heart could have significant consequences for how all social media platforms operate in the UK market.
