Short video app TikTok (ShakeYin overseas) is embroiled in a class action lawsuit in London, U.K. TikTok is facing billions of dollars in damages after being accused of illegally accessing the personal data of millions of European children.
TikTok’s parent company is Beijing, China-based ByteHopping Technology Co.
Reuters reported that Anne Longfield, the former British children’s commissioner, said on Wednesday (April 21) that affected children could receive thousands of pounds each in compensation if the lawsuit is won.
Longfield said Wednesday that if the case is won, each of the affected children may receive thousands of pounds. Longfield appeared in court on behalf of a 12-year-old girl who filed the class action lawsuit on condition of anonymity.
Longfield said that every child who has used TikTok since May 25, 2018, may have had their private information illegally collected by ByteTok through TikTok so that unknown third parties could benefit.
“Parents and children have a right to know that their children’s private information is being illegally collected, including phone numbers, locations and videos,” she argued.
A representative for TikTok said protecting privacy and security is a top priority for the company. He said the company has robust policies, processes and technology in place to help protect all users, especially teenage users.
The representative said the company “believes these allegations lack merit and intends to vigorously defend itself.
However, the plaintiffs allege that TikTok violated U.K. and EU data protection laws by processing teen data without adequate security measures, transparency, guardian consent or legitimate interest.
The lawsuit asks the company to delete the personal information of all child users, and says that if successful, damages could run into “billions of pounds. The class action lawsuit is set to go to trial next week.
TikTok is one of the world’s most popular apps, and its users are mainly young people. The app has about 100 million users in Europe. The new crown pneumonia epidemic has kept many children at home behind closed doors, allowing TikTok to consolidate its market share in Europe.
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