TikTok is committed to adopting new measures on the Italian market to prevent even more effectively the access of children to the platform. The measures taken by the social network after the emergency measures adopted by the Guarantor for the protection of personal data have brought significant results, but these are not yet sufficient, according to the Authority, given the importance of the interests at stake. Between 9 February, the start of the block imposed by the Guarantor, and 21 April – recalls the Authority – more than 12 and a half million Italian users were asked to confirm that they were over 13 years old to access the platform and more than 500,000 users were removed because they were likely under the age of 16: about 400,000 because they declared an age under 13 and 140,000 through a combination of moderation and reporting tools implemented within the app.
The Guarantor therefore asked TikTok to field a series of further interventions in order to keep the under-12s off the platform.
TikTok – explains the Guarantor – is committed to:
– guarantee the cancellation, within 48 hours, of the accounts reported and which result, upon verification, in the name of users under 13 years of age; – strengthen the blocking mechanisms of the devices used by users under the age of 16;
– study and develop solutions, also based on artificial intelligence, which, in compliance with the regulations on the protection of personal data, make it possible to minimize the risk of children under 13 using the platform;
– launch new communication initiatives, both in the app and through radio and newspapers, in order to educate to a conscious and safe use of the platform and to remember that the platform is not suitable for an audience of under-12s; – study and elaborate a new information created in simple language and with interactive and engaging methods dedicated to underage users, also using multimedia methods or new solutions suitable for strengthening the opportunities for minors to actually become aware of the content of this information;
– share with the Guarantor, data and information relating to the effectiveness of the various measures adopted, in order to collaborate in identifying effective measures capable of containing the phenomenon.
The Guarantor will monitor the compliance by TikTok in relation to the commitments undertaken and will continue with its investigation and verification activity in the context of the proceedings already initiated against the platform.
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