8-8-2023 (LONDON) Snapchat, the U.S.-based instant messaging app, is facing scrutiny from Britain’s data regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), to ascertain if the platform is effectively curbing underage users. Two individuals familiar with the matter have revealed that the ICO is gathering information regarding Snapchat’s efforts to remove users under the age of 13 from its platform.
Earlier this year, Reuters reported that Snap Inc, the parent company of Snapchat, had only removed a small number of children under the age of 13 from its platform in the UK during the previous year. In contrast, the UK media regulator Ofcom estimated that Snapchat still harbours thousands of underage users.
Under the ambit of UK data protection law, social media companies are mandated to obtain parental consent before processing the data of children under the age of 13. While social media platforms generally stipulate a minimum user age of 13 or above, their efficacy in preventing younger users from accessing their services has varied.
Snapchat has refrained from disclosing specific measures it may have undertaken to address the issue of underage users. A spokesperson for Snap remarked, “We share the goals of the ICO to ensure digital platforms are age-appropriate and support the duties set out in the Children’s Code.” The spokesperson further noted that the company continues to engage in constructive discussions with the ICO regarding their efforts in this domain.
Prior to initiating a formal investigation, the ICO typically gathers relevant information pertaining to the alleged breach. This preliminary phase may involve issuing an information notice to request internal data that could aid the investigation. Subsequently, the ICO decides whether to impose fines upon the individual or organization under scrutiny.
Last year, Ofcom’s findings unveiled that 60 per cent of children aged between eight and 11 possessed at least one social media account, often created by providing inaccurate birthdate information. Furthermore, Ofcom identified Snapchat as the most popular app among underage social media users.
Following Reuters’ report, the ICO received numerous complaints from the public concerning Snap’s handling of children’s data. Some of these grievances centered on Snapchat’s perceived inadequacy in preventing young children from accessing its platform.
Sources indicate that the ICO has initiated conversations with users and other regulatory bodies to evaluate the possibility of a breach by Snap.
The ICO spokesperson confirmed that ongoing assessments continue to gauge the preventive measures adopted by Snapchat and other social media platforms to deter underage children from accessing their services.
A decision regarding the commencement of a formal investigation into Snapchat’s practices is anticipated within the next few months, according to insider sources.
The potential consequences for Snap, if found in violation of regulations, could encompass fines up to 4 per cent of its annual global turnover, translating to an estimated $184 million based on recent financial results.
Snapchat, along with other social media platforms, is encountering mounting pressure to enhance content moderation and user safety on their platforms. The NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Young Children) highlighted that Snapchat was implicated in 43 per cent of instances involving the distribution of indecent images of children via social media.
