TikTok has agreed to pay a £12.7 million ($16.8 million) fine in the UK, bringing a long-running case over the platform’s handling of children’s personal data a step closer to an end.
The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) imposed the penalty in 2023 after finding that TikTok had breached data protection laws, including by unlawfully processing children’s personal information.
The ICO also found that TikTok failed to carry out sufficient checks to identify and remove children under the age of 13 from its platform. The regulator estimated that around 1.75 million UK children in that age group were using TikTok in 2020.
According to the ICO, TikTok also failed to properly explain how users’ personal information was collected, used, and shared. This meant users were not given enough information to make informed decisions about how their data was handled. The company also failed to obtain parental consent for active users under 13.
TikTok initially appealed the fine but has now withdrawn that appeal, making the £12.7 million penalty final.
The company has also withdrawn an appeal against an ICO information request concerning how TikTok processes the personal data of children aged 13 to 17 through its recommendation systems. That appeal had prevented the regulator from moving forward with an investigation launched in February 2025.
The ICO said TikTok’s decision to withdraw the appeals will allow its work on the issue to continue. Emily Keaney, Deputy Commissioner at the ICO, said companies’ handling of children’s personal information can have a significant impact on young people’s experiences online and stressed the importance of putting appropriate protections in place.
TikTok’s decision follows a ruling by the UK Upper Tribunal that rejected the company’s argument that children’s personal data was being processed for “artistic purposes.” The ruling removed a legal obstacle TikTok had relied on while challenging the ICO’s enforcement action.
The UK case comes as TikTok faces other regulatory scrutiny over child safety and platform design. The company recently agreed to a $100 million settlement with the US state of Alabama over allegations involving features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, and push notifications.
As part of that settlement, TikTok agreed to introduce additional measures aimed at protecting children, including a two-hour daily usage limit, breaks after 15 minutes of continuous use, restrictions during nighttime hours, and stronger content moderation measures.
Excerpt: TikTok has agreed to pay a £12.7 million UK fine after withdrawing its appeal over the handling of children’s personal data and privacy protections.
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