Snapchat can be fined for endangering children's privacy
By MYBRANDBOOK
As the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) files a preliminary enforcement notice, Snapchat could face millions in fines in the UK. According to a preliminary finding by the ICO, Snapchat did not sufficiently consider the privacy dangers that its AI chatbot, My AI, posed, especially for young users. Snapchat has until October 27 to respond before a final decision is made.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said it had provisionally found that the social media app’s owner failed to “adequately identify and assess the risks” to several million UK users of My AI, including among 13- to 17-year-olds.
Snapchat has 21 million monthly active users in the UK and has proved to be particularly popular among younger demographics, with the market research company Insider Intelligence estimating that 48% of users are aged 24 or under. About 18% of UK users are aged 12 to 17.
“The provisional findings of our investigation suggest a worrying failure by Snap [the parent of Snapchat] to adequately identify and assess the privacy risks to children and other users before launching My AI,” said John Edwards, the Information Commissioner.
The ICO said the findings of its investigation were provisional and that Snap has until 27 October to make representations before a final decision is made about taking action.
“No conclusion should be drawn at this stage that there has, in fact, been any breach of data protection law or that an enforcement notice will ultimately be issued,” the ICO said.
If a final enforcement notice is issued, Snap will be forced to stop processing data in connection with My AI, meaning it will have to be blocked for UK customers until the company carries out an “adequate risk assessment” of the service.
While the ICO’s priority is to stop any potential privacy breaches and ensure My AI is compliant, it also has the power to levy a fine of up to 4% of global turnover – Snap made $4.6bn (£3.8bn) in global revenues last year – or a maximum of £17.5m.
The My AI service is powered by OpenAI’s GPT technology, which has been at the vanguard of the global artificial intelligence arms race, and its launch marked the first example of generative AI being embedded in a major messaging platform in the UK.
BREAKING NEWS
TECHNO TRENDS
Legal Battle Over IT Act Intensifies Amid Musk’s India Plans
The outcome of the legal dispute between X Corp and the Indian government c...
Wipro inks 10-year deal with Phoenix Group's ReAssure UK worth
The agreement, executed through Wipro and its 100% subsidiary,...
Centre announces that DPDP Rules nearing Finalisation by April
The government seeks to refine the rules for robust data protection, ensuri...
Home Ministry cracks down on PoS agents in digital arrest scam
Digital arrest scams are a growing cybercrime where victims are coerced or ...
E-Magazine
TECHNOTAINMENT
Hrithik Roshan to endorse RuPay as Brand Ambassador
RuPay is reportedly planning to feature Bollywood superstar Hrithik Rosha
India Today Group launches – AI Pop Stars
Staying true to our industry leadership position in using cutting-edge tech
MOVERS & SHAKERS
TelioLabs ropes in Phaniraj V A as the Group CEO
TelioLabs has announced the onboarding of Phaniraj V A as its new Group CE
Wipro Appoints Amit Kumar as Managing Partner and Global Head
Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading technology s
OPEN YOUR EYES
INTERVIEWS
Bolstering its commitment to help build a truly self-reliant B
CP PLUS is dedicated to spreading a sense of security to every corner of In
Delivering Critical Business Communication Solutions to Enterp
Arya Omnitalk and Syntel’s comprehensive suite of solutions and more than
HOT PICK
MSI Announces the availability of RTX 50 series of laptops in
MSI, the innovative computing manufacturer in gaming, creator
Nothing Phone (3a) goes on sale today, starting at Rs 19,999
The phone was launched on March 4, featuring a 50MP main, ultra-wide, and t
MAKE IN INDIA BRANDS
FIRE BOLTT
PDRL - Passenger Drone Research Pvt. Ltd.
TEJAS NETWORKS INDIA PVT. LTD.
EXIDE INDUSTRIES LTD.
EMINENT CIO'S OF INDIA
ICONS OF INDIA
Icons Of India : NEERAJ MITTAL
He started his career as an IAS Officer in 1992. He has held various a...
Icons Of India : Girish Mathrubootham
Girish Mathrubootham is the Founder of Freshworks (previously known ...
Icons Of India : Puneet Chandok
Puneet Chandok is President, Microsoft India & South Asia and is respo...
PARTNER SPEAKERS
PSU
NIC - National Informatics Centre
NIC serves as the primary IT solutions provider for the government of ...
HPCL - Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd.
HPCL is an integrated oil and gas company involved in refining, market...
DRDO - Defence Research and Development Organisation
DRDO responsible for the development of technology for use by the mili...
VIDEOS
Top 25 Brands
Global Indian industry
Indian Tech Talent Excelling The Tech World - Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO- Micron Technology
Sanjay Mehrotra, the President and CEO of Micron Technology, is at the...
Indian Tech Talent Excelling The Tech World - REVATHI ADVAITHI, CEO- Flex
Revathi Advaithi, the CEO of Flex, is a dynamic leader driving growth ...
Indian Tech Talent Excelling The Tech World - RAVI KUMAR S, CEO- Cognizant
Ravi Kumar S, appointed as CEO of Cognizant in January 2023, sets the ...
ITFORUM 2025
CMO of the Year
WOMEN LEADERSHIP
IMAGE GALLERY
TRENDS IN TECHNOLOGY
MORE VIDEOS
ADVERTISEMENTS
TECHNOLOGY DISRUPTION
UNICORNS REVOLUTIONISING
of images belongs to the respective copyright holders
