Brazil’s national data protection regulator announced Tuesday that ByteDance Ltd., the parent company of TikTok, will pay a penalty of over 153 million reais (approximately $30 million) for alleged violations of privacy laws involving minors. The ruling says the social‑media app collected and processed personal data from users under 18 without a lawful basis or sufficient safeguards, both for logged‑in accounts and for guest browsing sessions.
Regulatory findings and required actions
The agency’s decision states that TikTok’s practices breached Brazil’s General Data Protection Law (LGPD). Specifically, the regulator found that the platform gathered identifying information from children and teenagers without obtaining verifiable parental consent or providing clear, transparent notices. Because the data was collected without a valid legal justification, the regulator ordered ByteDance to delete all information obtained illegally and to submit a remediation plan outlining how it will protect minors in the future.
ByteDance has ten days to appeal the decision. The company has not yet commented on the fine or the mandated data‑deletion order.
Broader context of internet regulation in Brazil
The fine follows a series of recent actions by Brazil’s data‑privacy authority aimed at tightening online safety for young people. Earlier this month, the regulator recommended suspending live broadcasts on the Discord platform after a link was made to a suicide case involving a minor. The Brazilian government, under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and the nation’s Supreme Court have been pursuing measures to regulate internet use by children and adolescents, though results have been mixed.
First Lady Rosângela Lula da Silva, known as Janja, publicly called for TikTok to be taken offline on August 6, citing concerns over the platform’s protection of minors. Her statements reflect growing public pressure on technology companies to prioritize child safety.
International parallels
Brazil’s move aligns with similar efforts in other countries. Australia, Canada and Indonesia have recently introduced or are considering stricter rules governing the collection of personal data from minors. These initiatives underscore a global trend toward greater accountability for social‑media platforms that host large numbers of young users.
While the fine represents a significant financial penalty, the regulator’s broader goal is to set a precedent that encourages tech firms to adopt stronger privacy safeguards for children worldwide.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
