Brazil's National Data Protection Agency (ANPD) has fined TikTok nearly $30 million for failing to ensure the protection of children's data, forcing the platform to implement new compliance measures.
The ANPD announced the fine against TikTok for 'improper processing of data belonging to children and adolescents.' In addition to the fine of 153.7 million reais (equivalent to $29.9 million), the agency required the parent company ByteDance to delete all data collected in violation of established rules.
The ANPD reported that TikTok committed to 'implementing a compliance plan to improve the protection of children and adolescents.' Under this plan, the platform must automatically apply stricter privacy settings for accounts of users under 16 years old, strengthen parental control systems, and establish stricter content filters.
TikTok did not provide an immediate response to comments requests from AFP. Furthermore, this month the ANPD ordered the popular streaming platform Discord to suspend video calls and live streams after a teenager was allegedly incited to suicide during one broadcast.
The agency informed AFP that the appeal filed by Discord on Monday regarding this suspension is currently under review.
In recent years, Brazil has adopted a stricter approach to regulating social media platforms. A recent law requires platforms to link accounts of users under 16 with their parents' accounts and conduct age verification of users.
In 2024, the platform X was blocked in Brazil for 40 days while the social network owned by the world's richest person, Elon Musk, complied with Supreme Court requirements to remove accounts spreading disinformation.