ByteDance, the owner of the short video service TikTok, may be fined €500 million for illegally transferring user data from Europe to China. According to Bloomberg, which cited informed sources, the Irish Data Protection Commission plans to announce the fine before the end of this month.
GDPR Violations Under Investigation
The decision to impose the fine follows a lengthy investigation that revealed violations of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Authorities found that TikTok transferred European user data to China, where ByteDance employees had access to it. This practice breaches GDPR rules that regulate how and where personal data can be stored and accessed.
If confirmed, this fine would become the third-largest in GDPR history. Meta Platforms previously received a €1.2 billion fine for similar violations, while Amazon was fined €746 million. Although the final amount and timing of TikTok’s fine have not yet been confirmed, and may still change, the regulator reportedly also intends to prohibit the processing of European TikTok user data in China.
Broader Context and Global Implications
This development comes at a critical time, as the U.S. government’s deadline for ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. business draws near, notes NIX Solutions. Amazon has recently emerged as a potential buyer and has sent a letter to the White House expressing interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations.
We’ll keep you updated as more details emerge regarding the EU’s decision and any subsequent changes to TikTok’s data processing practices or ownership status.