TikTok is in hot water with European regulators again. Ireland’s Data Protection Commission just hit the social media giant with a massive €530 million fine.
The issue? TikTok was sending personal data of European users to China without proper safeguards.
What exactly did TikTok do wrong?
The problem centers around TikTok’s data transfer practices. European Union rules, specifically the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), require companies to protect user data when it’s transferred outside the EU.
The Data Protection Commission found that TikTok didn’t meet these standards when moving data to China. Graham Doyle, DPC Deputy Commissioner, said GDPR demands “high-level protection” for personal data transfers.
TikTok claimed it doesn’t store European user data on Chinese servers. However, in April, the company told the DPC that some European user data had been stored in China back in February – and was subsequently deleted.
TikTok’s next steps
The €530 million fine is just part of the punishment. TikTok must also bring its data processing practices in line with GDPR rules within six months.
Sources: