TikTok video-sharing app fined for collection of children's data

App to set up 'age-appropiate' rules for under-13s to comply with US data protection laws

TikTok, the popular video-sharing app formerly known as Musical.ly, has agreed to a record $5.7m (4.2m) fine with the US Federal Trade Commission after being accused of illegally collecting personal information from children under 13.

The app, which is owned by the Chinese giant Bytedance, a private startup with a $75bn valuation, admitted to improper data collection in a statement following the settlement and said that it would begin keeping younger users in "age-appropriate TikTok environments", where those under 13 would be pushed into a more passive role, able to watch videos, but not post or comment on the platform.