EU -Consumer advocates have Tiktok in their sights. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Tiktok may violate European consumer protection law and the GDPR. The European Commission has therefore initiated a so-called formal dialogue together with consumer protection authorities.
EU criticizes aggressive advertising
The focus of the investigation is on partially hidden marketing -Practices. The authorities criticize surreptitious advertising and “aggressive advertising techniques” to which children are exposed on the platform.
In addition, according to consumer advocates, Tiktok’s terms and conditions are misleading and confusing. This applies to both the processing of personal data and the further use of content.
Deadline in one month
Tiktok has one month to work with the authorities and adapt its business model to European rules, the Commission announced. The decision was preceded by a warning from the European consumer association Beuc about violations of EU consumer rights by Tiktok.
EU Justice Commissioner Reynders said, according to a press release, digitization especially for vulnerable groups like children. In the EU it is forbidden to address children and minors with surreptitious advertising such as banners in videos.
