Instagram’s Handling of Kids’ Data Is Now Being Probed in the EU

Facebook’s lead data regulator in Europe has opened another two probes into its business empire — both focused on how the Instagram platform processes children’s information.

Children who changed their Instagram account settings to a business account had their contact info (such as an email address and phone number) displayed unmasked via the platform — arguing that “millions” of children had had their contact information exposed as a result of how Instagram functions.

Facebook is saying it has always made it clear that contact info is displayed if people choose to switch to a business account on Instagram. It also does now let people opt-out of having their contact info displayed if they switch to a business account.

Nonetheless, its lead EU regulator has now said it has identified “potential concerns” relating to how Instagram processes children’s data.