The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s data watchdog, has launched a major investigation into TikTok over the use of children’s personal information. The Information Commissioner said the ICO will look at when the social media platform’s data collection practices could lead to children spending ‘more time than is healthy’ on the app or having their data leaked. The TikTok algorithm is fed on personal data from user profiles, preferences, interactions with content and how long people spend watching a video - this makes it all subject to UK rules. The investigation will examine whether the platform is complying with UK data protection laws, as well as the children’s code. Reddit and Imgur will also be looked at, in particular their age verification processes. Meanwhile, a BBC investigation this week revealed TikTok is profiting from sexual livestreams performed by teenagers as young as 15. The investigation examined livestreams in Kenya, and alleged that TikTok takes a 70% cut from livestream gifts. TikTok ran their own internal investigation into child exploitation in its livestream in 2022, but according to a lawsuit brought by the US state of Utah last year, ignored the issue due to its significant profitability.
New research from the Institute for Public Policy Research has revealed that many workers are not yet embracing the potential of AI, and their employers aren’t doing enough to help them. Factors such as age, education and the industry a person works in can shape their attitude towards AI. Further research from the US highlighted younger adults (18-29) are more likely to use AI for work than their older colleagues, and use it at double the amount when compared to 50-64 year olds in the workplace. Workers with a university education or postgraduate degree are much more likely to use chatbots for work than those with a high school education or less. And in yet more research, workers who are more familiar with AI tools tend to be more optimistic about it, as opposed to those who are less familiar, who did not know whether AI would help them or take away their jobs.
We published our Annual Review of 2024 this week, looking back on another significant year for the ODI, which saw the burgeoning importance of AI in many aspects of our work and personal lives. In the report, you’ll find many examples of our research, policy development, training, advocacy, and thought leadership as we continue to strive for a world where data works for everyone. And we’d like to show our gratitude to our funders, clients, partners, and you, dear reader, for the support you’ve given the ODI. And we’ve got more treats for you coming up, with a webinar looking at optimising AI for sensitive industries on 19 March, and another exploring consent management platforms on 25 March, so check the links out for tickets.
And finally…a British tourist travelling to Bali was barred from entering the country by a 22-year-old David Bowie. Well, sort of. I say barred from entering the country, I mean he couldn’t get through the automated passport gates. Despite trying five times. I say by a 22-year-old David Bowie, I mean the AI system couldn't distinguish between Terry, a 74-year-old lawyer from Milton Keynes, and the face of a young Bowie on a t-shirt worn by the aforementioned Terry. So it’s almost true. But given Bowie’s ashes were scattered in Bali in 2016…I mean, I’m just saying you’d better not mess with Major Tom.
Until next time.
David and Jo
