TikTok violates user rights on a massive scale, say EU consumers

TikTok, the Chinese-owned video-sharing app, is breaching users’ rights “on a massive scale,” European consumer campaign group BEUC warned on Tuesday after firing off complaints to regulators.

TiKTok’s “unfair” copyright policy and virtual coins should be probed, Brussels-based BEUC urged in a statement on Tuesday. It also escalated previous warnings that the app fails to protect children and teenagers from harmful content or hidden advertising.

“In just a few years, TikTok has become one of the most popular social media apps with millions of users across Europe,” said Monique Goyens, BEUC’s director general. “But TikTok is letting its users down by breaching their rights.” Goyens said BEUC has filed a complaint with the European Commission and national consumer-protection authorities.