TikTok in the Dock: Dutch Group Sues Over Data Privacy
Users expressing dissatisfaction, demanding financial compensation from TikTok for perceived harm or exploitation of users' data or attention. - TikTok to Offer Financial Settlement to Users
Hey there! Let's chat about the buzz going on with the popular video platform, TikTok. A Dutch consumer organization named Stichting Onderzoek Marktinformatie (SOMI) has thrown a legal punch at TikTok, filing a class-action lawsuit at Berlin’s Kammergericht. Yes, you heard it right!
SOMI has accused TikTok of breaking privacy rules by illegally gathering and profiling users’ personal data. The Chinese company Bytedance, which owns TikTok, supposedly creates detailed behavioral and personality profiles for advertising and other commercial purposes. Worryingly, TikTok's algorithm is said to manipulate and create dependency, especially for young people, a concern that needs addressing.
TikTok hasn't commented on these allegations just yet. But here's the good news for consumers – participating in this class action is a breeze! Affected users (yes, you!) can join in by registering online. If the lawsuit wins, participants will get their compensation automatically; they won't have to deal with individual lawsuits.
But wait, the compensation amounts vary depending on your age when you started using TikTok:
- Those under 16 years old when signing up receive 2000 euros.
- Users aged between 16 and 21 years old get 1000 euros.
- For folks over 21, it's 500 euros.
The class action hasn't been officially announced yet, but SOMI says it will be published soon on the Federal Office of Justice's website. Once it's up, you'll be able to submit claims there. The Office recommends using the electronic registration form on their website, as it speed things up. Remember, you have three weeks after the court hearing to submit your claim form.
Now, it's important to know that SOMI is specialized in taking collective legal actions in matters of data privacy violations. They filed a similar lawsuit against X platform by Elon Musk back in May. So, keep an eye out for updates on this lawsuit, and don't forget to join if you share the same concerns about your data privacy on TikTok. Happy chatting!
[1]Source: Data privacy violations by TikTok under the spotlight in Germany[2]Source: The SOMI Case Against TikTok: A Breakdown of the Class Action Lawsuit
In light of the ongoing lawsuit against TikTok, EC countries could potentially use this as an opportunity to enforce stricter laws regarding the free movement of personal data, emphasizing the importance of data privacy and protection. As Stichting Onderzoek Marktinformatie (SOMI) advocates for consumer rights, technological advancements must not come at the expense of individual freedom, especially when it comes to the freedom to provide services and protect personal information.
