The US government accuses TikTok of being a spy tool in the service of China, which TikTok denies. Several countries have already banned or restricted the use of TikTok, and the United States is considering doing the same In France, TikTok is also under investigation Why does everyone want TikTok so much? Under the gun of the American authorities, the network social the most prominent at the moment (especially among the youngest), is suspected of being menace for US national security. ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is a Chinese company linked to the party, according to US authorities. The US government is concerned that the personal data of TikTok users could be shared with Chinese authorities for spying or influence purposes. A menace all the more alarming that TikTok claims over 100 millions users in the United States and over 2 billion worldwide. TikTok has always denied these allegations and has said it abides by US privacy laws. protection Data. However, in November 2022, she admitted that she recovered user data, but the process was isolated.
TikTok bought by the American giant?
Faced with pressure from the US government, which menace uninstall the app son territory, TikTok tried to find a solution. One of options considered selling its US operations to a local company such as Microsoft or Oracle. But negotiations have been complicated by conflicting demands from US and Chinese officials. Finally, on September 14, 2020, Oracle announced that it had reached an agreement with ByteDance to become TikTok’s “technology partner” in the US. This agreement provides for the creation of a new organization called TikTok Global, in which Oracle and Walmart will own 20%. The rest will belong to ByteDance and its shareholders. This agreement has yet to be approved by the US and Chinese governments. It is not certain that this is enough to remove suspicions about TikTok or satisfy the demands of former President Donald Trump, who signed an order to sell or ban TikTok in the United States until September 20, 2020. Meanwhile, US officials are no longer allowed to use TikTok on their smartphones.
Poll in France
In Europe, the situation is just as tense. Net social has also been criticized by some politicians and consumer associations who are concerned about the privacy and rights of users, especially minors. On the Old Continent, the application has about 100 millions users, most of whom are under the age of 18. A concerned European Commission launched an investigation into TikTok in February 2021 to check its compliance with European privacy regulations. protection (GDPR), product safety and business practices. Specifically, the commission asked TikTok to clarify its terms of use, content moderation policy, and parental control mechanisms. In addition, TikTok is the subject of several complaints filed by associations or individuals from various European countries. In Italy, power protection data ordered TikTok in January 2021 to temporarily ban the accounts of users whose age has not been verified after the death of a young girl who participated in a dangerous online challenge social. In the UK, a former TikTok employee filed a complaint in December 2020 for unfair dismissal and discrimination. In France, the UFC-Que Choisir became the champion. justice in June 2020 to denounce offensive provisions and security flaws in the app. In France, TikTok is not subject to a ban, but has received an anecdotal fine from the CNIL. In March 2023, the Senate also launched an investigation to answer these same questions, as well as to examine the extent to which TikTok is affecting the youngest users.
Under Pressure, TikTok Collaborates
Faced with this pressure, TikTok has taken a number of measures to build the trust of users and European authorities. In September 2020, the company announced the creation of a regional center protection data in Ireland, where son European headquarters. She also put place an advisory board of independent experts to review its content, policies and practices of interest public. TikTok also launched in February 2021 a platform designed for parents and educators to introduce them to best practices on the web social. Following the publication of our article on the Senate investigation, TikTok stated son the right to reply. “We have never been asked to provide TikTok user data to the Chinese government and we will not do so even if on asked us,” TikTok France said. The French subsidiary also clarifies that “TikTok is not a Chinese group and does not operate in China.” And add:
BytDance LLC is a private international company, almost 60% of which is owned by international institutional investors, and the rest is mainly owned by the founders and employees of the company. It is an international company registered outside of China, whose board of directors consists of the heads of international institutional funds such as Coatue, General Atlantic, KKR, Sequoia, Softbank and Susquehanna International Group.
TikTok France also tells us that “In 2022, TikTok announced that it has signed a contract with a data center in Europe that will host the data of TikTok users from the UK and the European Union. This center will be based in Ireland. European user data migration will begin this year and continue into 2024.” Through its clarification and investment, TikTok hopes to maintain its popularity and growth in Europe, where it is located. face to more competition from other apps like Instagram or Snapchat. TikTok is not the only network social do face restrictions in some countries. Other apps like Facebook, Twitter or WhatsApp have been blocked or censored in countries like China, Iran or Turkey for political or religious reasons.