'TikTok violates consumer rights,' European consumer groups complain



In response to Tik Tok, a short movie sharing SNS that is gaining popularity among young people, the

European Consumer Organization (BEUC) , an EU consumer protection organization, said, 'Children violate consumer rights with misleading data collection policies. We are cleverly exposing ourselves to hidden advertising and inappropriate content. '

BEUC files complaint against TikTok for multiple EU consumer law breaches | www.beuc.eu
https://www.beuc.eu/publications/beuc-files-complaint-against-tiktok-multiple-eu-consumer-law-breaches/html

TikTok hit with consumer law breaches complaints across Europe | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tiktok-eu-idUSKBN2AG0S8

Complaint Blasts TikTok's'Misleading' Privacy Policies | Threatpost
https://threatpost.com/tiktok-complaint-data-collection/163991/



Operated by Chinese tech company

ByteDance , TikTok is extremely popular with young people around the world and has been downloaded more than 2 billion times on the App Store and Google Play. On February 16, 2021, BEUC, consisting of 45 consumer protection groups from European countries, filed a complaint with TikTok regarding data collection policies and child protection. The complaints filed by BEUC are as follows.

◆ 1: The terms contained in the 'Terms of Service' are unfair
The terms contained in TikTok's Terms of Service are unclear and ambiguous, and will bring disadvantages to users. BEUC claims that the copyright of movies posted on the platform is also unfair, with TikTok granting the right to use, distribute and copy without compensation.

◆ 2: Misleading 'gift function' practices
The ' gift function ' implemented in TikTok is a function that allows you to exchange coins purchased from the app store for virtual gifts and provide gifts during live distribution to support distributors. BEUC points out that TikTok's policy on this feature also contains unfair provisions and misleading practices. For example, TikTok has the absolute right to change the exchange rate for coins and gifts, which could distort the transaction.



◆ 3: Insufficient protection of children
'TikTok has been unable to protect children and teens from hidden ads and potentially harmful content on the platform,' BEUC said, with a surge in corporate advertising on the platform. Claim to be doing. For example, children may be invited to participate in hashtag challenges related to a particular brand without knowing it's a promotion. BEUC also states that corporate efforts may be inadequate to protect against content that is inappropriate for children.

◆ 4: Misleading practices regarding data collection
TikTok does not explain which user data will be collected and for what purpose the data will be collected, especially in a way that children and teens can understand. In addition, some practices may have violated the

EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) , which has drawn the attention of data protection authorities.



'TikTok has become one of Europe's most popular social media apps in just a few years,' said BEUC Director Monique Goyens, but TikTok has disappointed users with massive infringement. We have filed a complaint against TikTok for discovering a series of infringements of consumer rights. ' In addition to BEUC, consumer groups in 15 countries have warned authorities about TikTok and urged them to take action.

A TikTok spokeswoman claimed that the privacy policy summary within TikTok was written in 'words and tones that make it easier for teens to understand their approach to privacy' regarding a series of complaints. 'We've always been broadly listening to how the app can be improved and welcomed meetings to listen to concerns, so we contacted BEUC,' a spokeswoman said.

In addition, TikTok has faced criticisms about the privacy of the younger generation before, so for users under the age of 15, we have changed the default account setting to 'private account' and took measures such as blocking video downloads. I have.

TikTok changes users under the age of 15 to 'private accounts' & no longer allows video downloads --GIGAZINE



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