An ICO spokesperson said:
We note the outcome of the Meta trial in the United States of America and the steps the company has agreed to take.
While the UK continues to develop plans for a social media ban for under 16s, children deserve to enjoy all the opportunities the online world has to offer whilst being protected from practices that may put their privacy, wellbeing or safety at risk.
Children’s privacy is one of our regulatory priorities. Our Children’s Code is clear that online services must design their products with children’s best interests in mind. We have taken, and will continue to take, action to drive improvements across the sector, including our ongoing work examining how social media and video-sharing platforms use children’s personal information in recommender systems.
Alongside holding technology companies accountable, we are also helping families build children’s digital life skills through our Switched on to Privacy campaign, supporting parents and carers to have regular conversations about online privacy and helping children make informed choices online.
We are contacting Meta following the outcome of this case.
