European watchdog fines TikTok $365M for neglecting children’s privacy.

TikTok Fined Over‍ $365 Million for Failing to Protect Underage ⁣Users’ ​Data

The European data watchdog has slapped TikTok with a massive fine of‌ over $365 million for allegedly neglecting to adequately safeguard the data of underage users. The Irish Data Protection Commission, responsible for ‌enforcing Europe’s data protection laws, announced the hefty ⁣penalty on Friday. TikTok had been urged to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation, the current data protection ⁤laws in Europe. Following an investigation into the company’s ⁤data practices, the ⁢agency pressured TikTok to revise its policies.

Exposing Children and Negligent User Pairing

The investigation revealed that TikTok‍ allowed children to be on its platform without proper safeguards, leaving ⁤them ⁤vulnerable to public exposure. Additionally, the company permitted users to activate “Family Pairing,” a feature that connects a child user with a nonchild user, without verifying their​ relationship.

This fine ⁤marks the largest penalty TikTok has‌ faced from the European Union. Previously, Meta⁢ (formerly ​Facebook) received a $1.3⁣ billion ⁤fine in May for transferring European personal data to​ servers in‌ the United States. In 2021, TikTok was also‍ fined 750,000 euros by the Dutch data protection authority⁤ for⁣ failing to protect Dutch children‍ by not providing its privacy policy ‌in their native language.

Privacy Concerns and China’s Access ‌to User Data

TikTok has faced privacy issues ⁢in the past. Despite claiming that China could not access⁤ user data, the China-based company accessed the data of U.S. users from its headquarters​ in Shanghai.

TikTok has not responded to requests for comment from the Washington Examiner.

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⁣ What are some examples of industries ‍and disciplines that benefit from ⁢GIS?

Geographical⁣ Information Systems (GIS) are technology-based systems that allow for the‍ collection, management, analysis, and presentation of⁤ spatial data. This technology combines‌ traditional cartography ‌with computer science, enabling users to visualize, understand, and interpret⁣ data in a spatial ‍context.

GIS can be used in various fields, including urban planning, environmental management, archaeology, agriculture,‌ transportation, and many others. It provides a powerful​ toolset to support decision-making processes by⁣ integrating data from⁢ multiple sources and displaying it on a map or in a visual format.

GIS typically consists of software applications, databases, and hardware devices, such as GPS receivers and remote sensing devices. These systems perform tasks like data capture (collecting and digitizing data), data management (organizing, storing, and updating data), data analysis (performing spatial analyses and modeling), and data visualization (creating maps,‌ charts, and​ other visual ‍representations).

There are several components that make up a GIS:

1. Spatial Data: This includes information with a geographic or ‌spatial ⁢reference, such as coordinates (latitude and longitude) or street addresses.

2. Database Management System (DBMS): This is the software⁢ that manages the storage, ⁣querying, and manipulation of data in a GIS. It ⁣allows for ‍the efficient storage and retrieval of spatial and attribute data.

3. Hardware: GIS requires specialized hardware, such as computers, servers, and storage devices, to handle⁤ the processing and storage of large amounts of spatial data.

4. Software Applications: GIS ‍software ​provides tools for ‍data capture, storage, management, analysis,⁤ and presentation. Popular GIS software includes‍ ArcGIS, QGIS, and Google Earth.

5. Analytical Methods: GIS employs various analytical techniques to analyze spatial relationships and patterns. These include spatial queries, buffering, overlay analysis, and spatial modeling.

Some of⁢ the key benefits of ‌GIS include:

1. Improved Decision-Making: GIS⁢ allows for better decision-making by visualizing complex data in a ‍spatial context. It helps identify patterns, relationships, and trends that may not be apparent in⁢ tabular​ data.

2. Increased Efficiency:‌ GIS automates processes that were previously ‍time-consuming and manual,​ such ⁣as data collection and⁢ analysis. This improves efficiency and reduces​ errors.

3. Enhanced Communication: GIS enables⁣ the creation of maps, charts, and other⁣ visual representations that can ⁤effectively communicate‍ complex information to stakeholders and decision-makers.

4. Integrated Data: GIS integrates data⁤ from various sources and ⁢formats, making it easier to combine ⁤and analyze diverse datasets.

5. Cost Savings: GIS ⁢helps ​optimize resource allocation, reduce redundancies, and identify cost-saving opportunities. It⁣ also⁤ aids in risk assessment and planning, leading to‌ more cost-effective decision-making.

Overall, ⁣GIS provides a powerful framework for managing ⁢and​ analyzing spatial data, leading to more informed⁢ decision-making across various ​industries and disciplines.

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