TikTok has today announced it has revised its privacy policy to include stronger protections for users aged under 18.
From today, the default privacy setting on the video sharing app will be updated so that all accounts registered to users aged 16 and under will be automatically set to private.
It will also tighten the controls around commenting on videos created by users who are 16 and under, with ‘Friends’ or ‘No One’ now the only options. The ‘Everyone’ option has now been removed for these users.
There are also new protections around how content is created using the ‘Duet’ and ‘Stitch’ settings and around downloading videos.
The company says the changes are about teaching users about the importance of online privacy as early as possible.
“We want our younger users to be able to make informed choices about their privacy, and by engaging them early in their privacy journey we hope to help them make more informed decisions,” TikTok said in a statement.
“As young people start their digital journey, we believe it’s important to provide them with age-appropriate privacy settings and controls to manage their online presence.”
Given TikTok’s immense popularity among younger people, the app is constantly looking for ways to ensure the safety of these users.
The app recently updated protections around direct messaging and hosting live streams for these younger users and has introduced Family Pairing to help parents set their own controls.
