Anna Hartz
Many people in Europe are worried about how their personal data is handled online.
Social media apps often collect large amounts of data, and some of it can end up outside the EU. TikTok is at the center of these concerns. This week, Norwegian TikTok users received a notice about how their personal data is processed. The company said it will continue transferring European users’ data to China, reports the Norwegian Data Protection Agency.
Irish Order Suspended
This is despite a decision earlier this year from the Irish Data Protection Commission, which ordered TikTok to stop sending personal data to China immediately.
The Irish order has now been temporarily suspended by a court, allowing TikTok to continue the transfers while the legal case is ongoing. The company must inform users, which explains the new notifications.
The notice confirms that TikTok employees in China will have access to the personal data of Norwegian and European users. This includes information collected through the app, like photos, videos, contacts, and location data. Norwegian authorities warn this could pose privacy risks. Chinese law could potentially require the data to be shared with authorities there, though it is unclear if that will happen.
TikTok Granted Interim Injunction
In April, TikTok was fined €530 million for violating the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation. The company claimed it did nothing wrong and appealed both the fine and the order. While the case is still being reviewed, the court granted TikTok an interim injunction. This lets them continue transferring data to China temporarily, provided users are informed.
Norwegian data authorities advise users to read the notice and review their privacy settings. Check what access the app has to your camera, microphone, contacts, and location. Users should consider whether they want to continue using TikTok while their data is sent to China. They can delete the app temporarily or permanently, or deactivate their account.
Businesses also need to be careful. Public organizations should consider the risks before using TikTok, as their presence may signal it is safe. Companies are encouraged to conduct risk and data protection assessments. They should also be transparent with users about how personal data could be accessed by personnel in China.
The situation shows how global apps can create challenges for privacy and why users and businesses need to be vigilant about where their data goes.
Sources: Norwegian Data Protection Agency.
