TikTok CEO Breton warns to adhere to EU regulations or risk being banned

TikTok has put GDPR data protection guidelines and a misinformation code of conduct into effect.

STOCKHOLM: The top official in charge of the EU’s internal market warned the CEO of TikTok on Thursday that the Chinese social media platform risked being banned from the EU if it didn’t make more of an effort to abide by EU regulations before September.

European Commissioner Thierry Breton reportedly warned Shou Zi Chew during a video conversation that TikTok had to comply with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) well before the deadline of September 1st.

If audits don’t reveal complete compliance, Breton said, “We won’t think twice about adopting the entire scope of sanctions to defend our citizens.”

In response, TikTok said that in addition to outlining its efforts to abide by other EU laws, such as the GDPR data protection requirements and a code of practice on disinformation, it was committed to the DSA.

According to Caroline Greer, director of public affairs and government relations at TikTok, “the protection of our users is important.”

The short-video app, controlled by Chinese technology giant ByteDance, has been fighting US worries over whether the personal information of its residents may be viewed and it’s content altered by China’s Communist Party or any other organisation under Beijing’s control for the past three years.

After the firm acknowledged last month that some of its staff had inappropriately accessed the TikTok user data of two journalists in an effort to track down the source of information leaks to the media, pressure on the company grew.

“Younger audiences require greater accountability. It is unacceptable that people can access hazardous and occasionally even life-threatening content in a matter of seconds behind what appear to be entertaining and innocent features “Breton declared.

In the event of repeated major violations endangering the lives or safety of people, the DSA provides dissuasive consequences, such as a ban in the EU, he said.

Online platforms are required by the DSA to take greater steps to monitor the internet for unlawful content or risk fines of up to 6% of annual global turnover.

Last week, TikTok’s Chew travelled to Brussels to meet with regulators, including Margrethe Vestager, the head of the EU’s antitrust agency, in an effort to ensure the EU that it will adhere to its increasingly strict internet regulations as well as its obligations to privacy and kid safety.

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