In theory, tiktok It is only available to users 13 years of age and older. However, many boys and girls below that age range lie to access popular video platforms. The move has forced the company owned by the Chinese giant ByteDanceTo take action: Every month it removes a total of six million accounts suspected of being operated by minors worldwide, the speed and volume of removals will exceed the user base in just four months is in spain20 million.
Pressure on TikTok is increasing. on 19th February European Commission opened a formal process against Application To check whether it violates this digital services law Among others, in areas related to the protection of the youngest children and the mitigation of possible “negative impacts” caused by them algorithm Such as “behavioral addiction.” Two months later, threats brussels They forced the company to suspend tiktok liteWhich allowed users to charge for watching or posting videos.
need to comply with regulation This has prompted TikTok to accelerate the adoption of measures to ensure the safety of young users. With 175 million users every month, European Union It is the second most important global market for the platform after the United States. “It takes time to earn trust,” he admits. christine grahanTikTok’s director of government relations and public policies in Europe, in a meeting with EL Periodico in Dublin, where the company has its European headquarters.
ban of beauty filters
iX Workshop: Secure Coding Practices for Java DevelopersTikTok has been adopting protective measures for months to placate regulators. Thus, the platform prevents users under 18 years of age from accessing certain applications. beauty filter Those that alter your physical appearance, such as those that shape cheekbones or enlarge the eyes, as they are thought to contribute to worsening your physical appearance. mental healthFrom now on, videos also include a tab informing users which effect has been applied in each case.
This measure adds to other measures implemented over the years. This is a matter of private pre-configuration of the accounts of minors, the function that allows linking accounts Guardian And to ensure children are supervised or who are 16 years of age or younger cannot receive direct messages to avoid cases Harassment OnlineHe explains, “We are committed to safety by design so that the experience for minors is more restrictive than that for adults.” nikki sooDirector of public safety and welfare policies at TikTok in Europe.
Age Verification
To create an account on TikTok, users will have to enter their date of birth. Although many children under 13 circumvent this system, the company assures that it verifies their age so they cannot access toxic content and that it uses “A”. technology“Not explicitly specified to detect and eliminate legitimate accounts that may be behind these children. However, the European Commission Consider That those instruments may not be “appropriate, proportionate and effective.”
This problem is prompting more and more voices to demand the introduction of the mechanism Age Verification Number of users in Internetthis is it government of spainBut TargetLast Monday, the technology giant owns Facebook And Instagram raised to brussels Promote harmonized regulations so shops can stay open Apps Which detect the age of users and notify parents to approve any downloads.
On-site and virtual training offers: Techniques: Lounge Live! More Tech: Lounge 360°And TikTok? “We are studying several formulas, but many technical details are missing so that we can make a choice,” he says. chloe setterHead of public policies for child protection in Europe. The ball is in the regulators’ court.
