The TikTok social network, which is particularly popular with younger people, is making changes to privacy settings. The profiles of all users between 13 and 15 years are now set to “private” by default, which means the content is not shared publicly. The changes are intended to bring young users closer to the benefits of privacy settings, TikTok explains in a press release.

In addition, videos from 13 – to 15 – Do not comment on year olds unless they have activated the comment function for their own friends list . The TikTok functions “Duet” and “Stitch” allow you to interact with the content of other users. From now on, this is only possible if the corresponding content was created by users from 16 years. For all users between the ages of 16 to 17 years TikTok configures Duet and Stitch by default so that they can only work with the Content from friends can interact.

TikTok makes further adjustments to the download function. Videos from users under 15 can no longer be downloaded via the app. The function is deactivated by default for everyone between the ages of 16 to 17, but can be reactivated via the privacy settings . TikTok puts the “Propose your account to others” option, which is used to increase your own audience, between 13 and 15 years. The function can be reactivated.

Small-scale settings When asked by the dpa, why the settings are not uniform for all young people under 17, explains TikTok: “The needs and skills of young people change and develop the older they get. Our attitudes reflect this development”. In order to register for the social network, users have to enter their age using a mask. However, the specified age is not verified. TikTok declares to delete accounts if it turns out that the users are under 13 years old.

Insufficient data protection for children and Young people at TikTok had led to criticism of the platform in the past. Youth advocates criticized the fact that the profiles and content of children and adolescents could by default be viewed and commented on across platforms. This exposes young users to potentially harassing and abusive comments and encourages cyber grooming.

(ndi)