Brazil's data protection authority (ANPD) has issued a ruling fining TikTok and its parent company ByteDance nearly $30 million (approximately 760 billion VND) for violating the privacy rights of children and teenagers. This is the latest move in the Brazilian government's efforts to tighten regulations on social media platforms.
According to the ruling, TikTok collected and processed personal information of users under 18 without a valid legal basis or adequate protective measures, applying to both logged-in accounts and guest browsing sessions. Authorities estimate TikTok may have processed data from at least 8 million children, highlighting systemic shortcomings in the platform's age verification mechanisms.
In addition to the fine, the ANPD ordered TikTok to delete all data collected illegally and build a more comprehensive framework for protecting minors. Notably, the agency emphasized that the "logged-out feed" feature—which allows users to browse content without creating an account—currently exists only in Brazil, while in the U.S. and Europe, users must register an account to access the platform. This feature is believed to enable children to use the platform without age verification checks.
The company has the right to appeal within 10 days of the ruling.
This is not the first time Brazil has taken strong action against tech platforms. Earlier this month, the ANPD ordered Discord to suspend its live streaming feature nationwide after a 13-year-old girl died by suicide during a live stream, where she was allegedly encouraged to harm herself.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's government, along with Brazil's Supreme Court, is working to tighten management of minors' internet use, amid similar initiatives in countries such as Australia, Canada, and Indonesia.
