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TIKTOK PAYS £12.7M FINE FOR FAILING TO BLOCK UNDER-13S

AI DESK■ 1 MIN READ
FRI, SEP 25, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 1 SOURCE ▸ TIMELINE

TikTok has abandoned its appeal against a £12.7 million fine imposed by the UK's Information Commissioner's Office. The 2023 penalty targeted the platform's failure to enforce age restrictions and remove underage users.

The video app will now pay the full amount after the ICO found it had inadequate systems for verifying user ages and removing children below 13 from the service. The regulator's 2023 investigation determined TikTok violated data protection rules by allowing underage access without proper safeguards. The platform operates a minimum age requirement of 13 in most markets, aligning with Children's Online Privacy Protection Act standards. By dropping the appeal, TikTok avoids prolonged legal proceedings and additional costs. The decision reflects growing regulatory pressure on social media companies to enforce age restrictions more rigorously. The fine represents one of several penalties TikTok has faced globally over child safety concerns. UK regulators have intensified scrutiny of tech platforms' compliance with age verification requirements and data protection obligations for minors.

■ SOURCES

► The Guardian — Technology

■ SUMMARY WRITTEN BY AI FROM THE LINKS ABOVE

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