Privacy concerns are back on TikTok’s doorstep as Noyb, an Austrian privacy rights group, takes legal action again. This time, Noyb claims TikTok failed to comply with European data access requests, breaking key GDPR rules.
TikTok Faces Fresh Privacy Complaints
Noyb said it filed new complaints against TikTok with Greek authorities, accusing the platform of making it impossible for users to know how their personal data is processed.
“All three tech companies have failed to comply with access requests,” Noyb stated, referring to TikTok, AliExpress, and WeChat. “This makes it impossible for European users to exercise their fundamental right to privacy.”
While Shein, Temu, and Xiaomi provided additional data, Noyb said TikTok only sent “an unstructured form that was impossible to understand.”
What Triggered This Fresh Battle?
TikTok has been in the hot seat before. In May, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission fined the company €530 million for transferring user data to China. TikTok insisted the data was only accessed remotely, but European regulators disagreed.
Ireland’s DPC remains TikTok’s lead regulator in Europe because its headquarters are based there. However, this latest Noyb challenge raises questions about whether fines alone can force compliance.
Why Noyb Says Chinese Apps Are Worse
Noyb didn’t hold back in its criticism. “Chinese apps are even worse than US providers,” the group said, claiming these firms fail to meet basic privacy obligations.
TikTok, for its part, has not responded to this new complaint. Beijing has denied ordering companies to “illegally” collect personal data, but skepticism remains strong in Europe.
Noyb Challenges TikTok on Privacy—The Bigger Picture
This fight is bigger than TikTok. It’s about whether global tech giants respect the privacy rights of European users. If TikTok continues to dodge full transparency, regulators may need tougher penalties. Because when a company hands over “unstructured” data instead of clear answers, it’s not just sloppy, it’s a direct hit on user trust.
Will TikTok finally change its approach, or will this just be another fine that fades into history?
