The Data Protection Commission of Ireland (DPC) has launched two investigations into Facebook following concerns about the social networking giant's manipulation of children's personal data on Instagram.

Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle told Reuters in an email statement that the EU's key data privacy regulator, DBC, had received complaints from individuals and identified "potential concerns" about the processing of children's personal data on Instagram.

Doyle said in a statement that both investigations were launched last month.

Facebook did not immediately respond when contacted by Reuters on Sunday.

The Telegraph, which first reported the investigation, said Instagram had leaked the email addresses and phone numbers of users under the age of 18.

The Telegraph added that the Irish regulator had begun its investigation following a complaint by US data scientist David Stier.

The first inquiry establishes whether Facebook has a legal basis for processing data and whether it uses adequate security and / or restrictions on Instagram.