TikTok investigated over use of children's data

It added that the platform also has "robust restrictions on the content allowed in teens' feeds".

Mr Edwards said TikTok's algorithm "feeds" on personal data gleaned from user profiles, preferences, links clicked and how long they spend watching a particular video - making it subject to UK rules.

In addition to the probe into TikTok, the ICO is also checking the age verification processes of Reddit and Imgur, an image-sharing platform.

The investigation will look into whether the companies are complying with both the UK's data protection laws, and the children's code.

The code is set to design principles for online platforms aimed at protecting children in the UK. Platforms which collect UK children's user data must minimise the amount they gather and take extra care when processing it.

The investigations do not necessarily mean any of the three platforms have broken the law.

But companies which are found to have done so can be punished with enforcement notices and fines.

"We are patrolling, and there will be consequences for breaches of the law," said Mr Edwards.

It is not the first time TikTok has faced scrutiny from the ICO. The platform is appealing against an ICO fine of £12.7m in 2023 for misusing children's data issued in 2023.