MWE Correspondent
The European Union (EU) has hit TikTok with a staggering $600 million fine for violating strict data privacy regulations.
The social media giant was found guilty of sending user data to China without proper user consent, a serious breach under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The penalty, announced on Monday, underscores growing concerns in Europe over how global tech companies handle personal information, particularly when it involves sensitive cross-border data transfers.
According to investigators, TikTok failed to implement sufficient safeguards and transparency, allowing personal data—especially that of minors—to be accessed from servers in China.
EU regulators stated that the breach posed “a significant risk to users’ privacy and national security,” especially in light of TikTok’s rising popularity among teenagers and children across the continent.
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“This fine sends a clear message: Europe takes data protection seriously,” said a spokesperson from the European Commission. “Companies must respect our laws, no matter how big or global they are.”
TikTok, owned by the Chinese tech firm ByteDance, has long faced scrutiny over its data collection practices and its relationship with Chinese authorities. While the company insists that it operates independently and stores European data on servers outside China, regulators argue that the safeguards were inadequate and poorly enforced.
In response, TikTok has expressed “disappointment” with the ruling and said it will appeal the decision. “We remain committed to ensuring the privacy and safety of our European users,” the company said in a statement.
This case marks one of the largest fines ever issued under the GDPR, adding to a growing list of enforcement actions by the EU against big tech firms such as Meta and Google.
As the digital landscape evolves, this ruling is a wake-up call for tech companies worldwide: when it comes to data privacy in the EU, compliance is not optional—it’s the law.
