Amanze Chinonye
Brazil has fined ByteDance, the Chinese owner of short-video platform TikTok, 153.7 million reais ($29.9 million) for violations involving the processing and protection of personal data belonging to children and teenagers.
The National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) said the penalty followed an investigation into TikTok’s handling of minors’ information and identified irregularities in the platform’s compliance with Brazil’s data-protection requirements.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe regulator also ordered ByteDance to delete personal data collected in breach of the rules and take corrective measures to strengthen protections for younger users.
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A key concern identified by the ANPD was TikTok’s “logged-out feed”, which allows people to view content without registering an account. The authority said children and teenagers could access the feature without adequate mechanisms to verify their age, creating additional risks around the processing of their personal information.
Under the ruling, ByteDance must delete the affected data within 60 business days and notify third parties with which the information was shared.
Failure to comply could result in an additional penalty of 137,081.49 reais for each day the company remains in breach, the ANPD said.
ByteDance has 10 days to appeal the decision. The fine can be reduced by 25% if the company waives its right to appeal and pays the penalty within the prescribed period.
The company has also committed to a compliance programme designed to bring TikTok into line with Brazil’s data-protection requirements and strengthen safeguards for children and teenagers.
The decision comes amid increased regulatory pressure on technology and social-media companies in Brazil over the protection of minors online.
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Brazil’s Digital Child and Adolescent Statute, which took effect in March, established additional obligations for digital platforms concerning the safety and privacy of young users. The ANPD is separately monitoring 22 digital platforms and social networks to assess their compliance with the new framework.
The regulator has also taken action against Discord this month over concerns about risks to minors on the platform.
The TikTok case adds to mounting pressure on social-media companies to demonstrate that their platforms have effective age-verification systems and appropriate controls for the collection, use and retention of children’s personal data.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
