The EU is asking TikTok to pay: The social media giant has to pay 345 million euros because it did not adequately protect the privacy of children. The consequences of incorrect handling of minors on the digital battlefield.

How quickly the tide can turn! It wasn't too long ago when TikTok was the undisputed prodigy of the social media world. Today the giant is in the headlines - less for viral dance videos than for a costly data scandal.

Underage, but unwanted in the spotlight

In today's digital world, TikTok has become an integral part of everyday life for many of us. It's a phenomenon that often captivates us: a short clip starts and before you know it, hours have passed and you've scrolled through countless videos. However, this fascination takes a hit when you think about whose content you are actually consuming. A particularly explosive point here: videos of minors. It raises ethical questions when a video created by a teenager between the ages of 13 and 17 is made available to potentially millions of users without their consent or knowledge. This approach by TikTok - making posts by minors publicly visible by default - not only clashes with our ideas of privacy, but also represents a direct invasion.

A look back: Outdated practices in the age of data protection?

TikTok, the company behind the viral app, has clarified its position on these preferences. They claim that the attitudes criticized are artifacts of a bygone era and have since been corrected. But it raises the question: How did it even get to this point? At a time when data protection and privacy are becoming increasingly important, such “oversights” should actually be a thing of the past. The latest ruling against the company reinforces these expectations and clearly shows that even tech giants must adhere to ethical and legal standards and will be held accountable if they are ignored.

Project Clover: A silver lining?


Through the “Project Clover” plan, TikTok aims to rebuild trust in Europe. Due to its affiliation with the Chinese company ByteDance, the video app has faced political headwind in the West. This led to both the EU Commission and various European governments banning the use of TikTok on their employees' work cell phones. With “Project Clover,” TikTok promises to clearly define and make transparent access to the personal data of its European users.

Conclusion: Restore trust

TikTok faces a huge challenge. It's not just about money or losing users. It's about lost trust. This penalty sends a clear message to all social media platforms: protecting minors should always come first. It remains to be seen whether TikTok will learn from its mistakes and act more responsibly in the future.

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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )