In a move that finally merges the worlds of social media, data privacy, and common sense, the U.K’.s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has decided to probe TikTok’s practices concerning the personal data of teenagers. Yes, they’re finally asking the tough questions about how the app collects and uses the data of our Gen Z counterparts thumb-scrolling into the wee hours of the night.

The ICO has raised valid concerns over how social media platforms, like TikTok, are leveraging the online activities of younger users to fine-tune their recommendation algorithms. Because nothing spells fun like being fed an endless stream of content tailored to your snack cravings and emotions, right?

Commissioner John Edwards made it clear that it’s not just about the data collection, but also the safety nets in place to catch our teens if they fall down the rabbit hole of toxic content and addictive practices. “I expect to find many benign uses of children’s data, but there’s an alarming potential for harm lurking just below the surface,” he stated. A brave but necessary stance, we’d say!

As part of this investigation, the ICO is broadening its scope to include other digital playgrounds like Reddit and Imgur, scrutinizing how they manage children’s data and what steps they take to verify ages. Because let’s be real, the last thing we need is a bunch of preteen TikTok stars caught in the web of online dysfunction.

TikTok, operated by the infamous ByteDance, reassured users that their recommender systems come equipped with “industry-leading safety features”. In simple terms, they’ve got the digital equivalent of bubble wrap around their youth demographic, hopefully, that doesn’t pop. Last year, the ICO slapped TikTok with a hefty £12.7 million fine for abusing children’s data. Yes, TikTok! The same app that supposedly allows 1.4 million kids under the age of 13 to surf through content meant for adults, talk about unfiltered access!

So, what’s the takeaway? While TikTok wants us to believe they’re all about safeguarding our future social media stars, the ICO is on a mission to ensure that privacy isn’t just a trendy hashtag. With attention on how data is being handled, maybe this will finally set a precedent for tech giants to step up their game, or at least pretend to.