China Refutes Data Access Claims Following Major EU Fine Against TikTok
China has rejected allegations that it forces companies to hand over user data, following a significant fine imposed on TikTok by the European Union for mishandling personal information.
On Friday, EU regulators fined TikTok €530 million (approximately $600 million) over the transfer of European user data to China and its failure to ensure the data was protected from Chinese government access.
This penalty marks the EU’s second-largest data protection fine and stems from an extensive investigation into TikTok’s compliance with data privacy regulations.
TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese tech firm ByteDance, has announced its intention to appeal the ruling.
Responding to the fine, China’s foreign ministry stated that the government has never demanded that businesses or individuals collect or store data through unlawful methods. The ministry also urged the EU and Ireland—where TikTok’s European headquarters is based—to foster a fair and unbiased environment for international businesses.
Although TikTok operates under a Chinese parent company, its European data operations are regulated in Ireland, making the country a key player in the enforcement of privacy laws on the platform.
TikTok continues to face global scrutiny due to concerns about potential Chinese government access to user information and the platform’s role in spreading misinformation. Several nations—including Pakistan, Nepal, and France (in New Caledonia)—have enacted temporary or permanent bans on the app.
The EU’s decision is likely to intensify regulatory challenges for TikTok in the United States. In 2024, U.S. lawmakers passed legislation requiring ByteDance to sell its American TikTok operations or face a nationwide ban. President Donald Trump has already delayed the divestment deadline twice, with the current cutoff date set for June 19.
China has consistently maintained that it respects local laws and does not seek to access data from international tech companies operating abroad.
