EU launches fresh investigation into TikTok data transfer to China
European Regulator Investigates TikTok Over Data Transfers to China
After a statement from TikTok claiming that personal data of European users had been stored in China, Irish authorities have launched a new probe into the Chinese‑owned social network.
Key Points of the Investigation
- Knowledge gap – TikTok said in April that “limited EEA user data had in fact been stored on servers in China, then deleted,” a claim that contradicted evidence previously presented by the company.
- Regulatory concerns – The Data Protection Commission (DPC) expressed “deep concern” in its earlier investigation, noting that TikTok had submitted inaccurate information.
- Fine background – In May, the DPC fined TikTok 530 million euros ($620 million) for sending personal data to China, a penalty that is the second‑largest ever imposed by the regulator.
- Appeal outlook – TikTok plans to appeal the May fine, which could reshape the legal landscape for the platform.
Why TikTok is Under Pressure
Western governments have long feared that personal data from European users could be used by Chinese authorities for espionage or propaganda. Despite TikTok’s insistence that it has never received requests from Chinese officials, the platform’s data practices remain a focal point of scrutiny.
Regulatory Context
- GDPR compliance – The DPC is tasked with ensuring that companies comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), launched in 2018 to protect European consumers from personal data breaches.
- EU focus on big tech – The EU has imposed massive fines on tech giants such as Google, Meta, Apple, and now TikTok to rein in privacy, competition, disinformation, and taxation issues.
- Project Clover – TikTok pledged to invest 12 billion euros ($14 billion) in European data security over ten years, claiming that its default data storage locations are Norway, Ireland, and the United States, and that “employees in China have no access to restricted data.”
Current US Developments
In the United States, TikTok faces a looming ban if it does not find a non‑Chinese buyer. President Donald Trump announced at the end of June that a group of buyers had been found for TikTok and that the identities of the purchasers could be revealed within weeks.
Conclusion
The Irish authority’s probe will determine whether TikTok has complied with its GDPR obligations. The outcome could influence how other platforms operate globally and how data privacy is enforced across borders.
