Data security and youth protection
EU Commission admonishes Tiktok
The EU Commission has warned the head of the popular video app Tiktok, Shou Zi Chew, to comply with European data protection and youth protection rules.
FILED – The EU Commission has warned the head of the popular video app Tiktok, Shou Zi Chew, to comply with European data protection and youth protection rules. Photo: Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa
At a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, Vice President Vera Jourova confronted Chew with concerns about the protection of Europeans’ personal data, the safety of children on Tiktok and the spread of Russian disinformation, the Brussels authority said after the meeting.
Chew was also in the Belgian capital to meet Competition Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders and Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson. The Internet platform, which belongs to the Chinese Bytedance group, has long been criticized for insufficient data security and the lack of protection for young users. It is feared, for example, that the Chinese state could have access to Tiktok data. Tiktok denies that.
Jourova stressed after the meeting: “I count on Tiktok to fully honor its commitments to respect EU law and regain the trust of European regulators.” There can be no doubt that user data is safe in Europe and is not exposed to “illegal access by authorities from third countries”.
EU Justice Commissioner Reynders emphasized at the meeting that Tiktok must comply with the rules of the General Data Protection Regulation when processing personal data. “The regulations are clear and must be fully complied with.” Regarding the fight against hate speech, Reynders attested Tiktok a positive development, but still saw room for improvement.
(SDA)