By Elke Porter | WBN News Global | May 2, 2025

TikTok has been hit with a €530 million ($600 million) fine by Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) for failing to protect the personal data of European users and not complying with strict EU data privacy laws. The ruling, announced on May 2, demands that TikTok suspend data transfers to China within six months unless it aligns with EU standards.

The DPC found that TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, did not adequately safeguard user data from potential Chinese government access. Despite assurances that no EU user data is stored in China, TikTok recently admitted a limited amount was found on Chinese servers in February 2024—later deleted. The regulator is now considering further action.

TikTok, which boasts 175 million users across Europe and is particularly popular among teenagers, denies wrongdoing and plans to appeal the decision. The company says it has never received or complied with a request for EU user data from Chinese authorities. It also argues that the ruling could set a dangerous precedent for global companies operating in Europe.

The fine marks the second major penalty TikTok has faced in the EU. In 2023, it was fined €345 million over mishandling children's data. The DPC, known for regulating major tech companies based in Ireland, has also penalized Microsoft, Meta, LinkedIn, and X under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

TikTok insists it uses standard contractual clauses to control remote data access and has invested in secure data centers in Europe and the U.S. Still, the DPC maintains that TikTok fell short of proving compliance, raising alarm over cross-border data flows and surveillance risks under foreign laws.

#TikTok News #Data Privacy #GDPR Compliance #EU Regulations #Tech Lawsuit #Digital Privacy #Byte Dance #Social Media Policy #WBN News Global #Elke Porter

Connect with Elke at Westcoast German Media or on LinkedIn: Elke Porter or contact her on WhatsApp:  +1 604 828 8788

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