In a TikTok press release about its new privacy policy for Europe, TikTok clarifies that European user data is, and/or will be, accessible outside Europe, including in China. TikTok employees can remotely access European user data from Brazil, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and the United States.
In addition, TikTok confirms that European user data is currently not stored in Europe, but rather in the U.S. and Singapore.
TikTok’s access and storage of users’ personal data outside the EU is problematic. Countries outside the EU do not offer the same level of privacy protection, and such transfers are subject to strict requirements, which TikTok does not appear to meet. The Take Back Your Privacy Foundation has therefore also explained in its writ of summons that TikTok is acting unlawfully by processing the personal data of European TikTok users outside the EU.
You (and your child(ren)) can still join our action in collaboration with the Dutch Consumers’ Association (Consumentenbond) against TikTok. Click here for more information and to sign up.