Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

EU leaders fire warning shots at TikTok over privacy

EU leaders fire warning shots at TikTok over privacy

Brussels expects the platform to go the ‘extra mile in respecting EU law’ and regaining trust, says Commissioner Jourová.
European Commission officials on Tuesday warned TikTok's CEO to respect EU laws and work on "regaining [the] trust of European regulators," as the Chinese-owned firm faces growing criticism over privacy.

"I count on TikTok to fully execute its commitments to go the extra mile in respecting EU law and regaining [the] trust of European regulator," said European Commission Vice President Věra Jourová in a statement after meeting with TikTok chief Shou Zi Chew in Brussels.

Jourová said there could not be "any doubt that data of users in Europe are safe and not exposed to illegal access from third-country authorities."

Chew met Tuesday with a series of European Commission politicians in a first for the head of the rising-but-controversial social media platform. His visit comes amid months of unabated political pressure and after the U.S. recently moved to ban the app for all federal government devices due to fears about potential spying by China, where TikTok's parent company ByteDance is based.

The platform is also facing two investigations by the Irish data protection regulator on potential unlawful data transfers of European citizens’ data to China as well as children’s privacy under the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Ireland is TikTok's main privacy regulator.

Commission Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager, who met with Chew earlier in the day, said discussions centered on preparing for the EU's new online content rules (DSA) and new digital competition rulebook (DMA) as well as complying with the GDPR. Vestager also brought up recent press reports on TikTok's "aggressive data harvesting and surveillance in the US," a readout of the meeting said.

Meanwhile, Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders reminded TikTok of the importance of cooperating with the Irish watchdog. "The rules are clear and must be complied with fully," he said, according to a readout.

Jourová also raised concerns with Chew about how the video-sharing app was using the data of journalists to identify leaks in the company, according to a readout of the meeting. Chew "confirmed it was wrong" and said the people responsible were no longer with the company.

Other topics raised included measures to protect children on the platform, limit the spread of Russian disinformation, and make political advertising and influencer marketing more transparent.

Theo Bertram, TikTok’s vice president for government affairs in Europe, said the conversations with EU politicians focused on compliance with European regulations.

“We welcomed the opportunity to reinforce how we’re further strengthening data security in Europe, including by establishing our European data centre operations in Ireland,” he added.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×