Brazilian data protection regulator fines TikTok’s owner nearly $30 million over safety of minors

Brazil’s data protection regulator has imposed a hefty fine of more than 153 million reais (nearly $30 million) on TikTok’s parent company ByteDance due to alleged mishandling of personal data of minors. This marks the latest move by the South American nation against social media companies. The regulator stated that TikTok breached data privacy laws by collecting and processing young users' personal information without a valid legal basis or adequate safeguards. The company has 10 days to appeal the decision.

The ruling also includes an order for TikTok to discard all illegally gathered data. Additionally, the regulator has demanded that the company present a plan to enhance protection for minors. Earlier this month, the same body recommended the suspension of live broadcasts on Discord platform following a suicide case. Brazil's government, led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the Supreme Court, has been striving to regulate internet use by minors, but with limited success so far.

Brazil's first lady, Rosângela Lula da Silva, also known as Janja, has called for the platform to be taken offline citing the case. She is a known critic of TikTok's child and teen protections.