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Italy’s watchdog alleges TikTok breached EU privacy rules, warning the short video platform about targeted ads

  • TikTok announced that it would use targeted advertising without requesting consent for using data stored on user devices
  • The social media company defended the move as in its legitimate interests, but Italy’s data protection agency said it was not consistent with EU privacy rules

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The TikTok logo displayed on a tablet in France on March 23, 2022. Photo: AFP
Reuters
Italy’s data protection authority has formally warned Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok about an alleged breach of existing European Union rules to safeguard user privacy, the watchdog said on Monday. TikTok had told users in recent weeks that it was going to deliver targeted advertising to them from July 13, without requesting consent for using data stored in their devices, the Italian watchdog said.

In changing its privacy policy, TikTok claimed it was acting in the legitimate interests of the company and its partners, according to the Italian regulator. But the watchdog said such a legal basis was not consistent with EU privacy rules.

“We strive to build a personalised experience for our community, and at the same time we are committed to respecting the privacy of our users … and operating in compliance with all relevant regulations,” a TikTok spokesperson said.

“While our evaluation of the Italian Data Protection Agency’s recent notice is still ongoing, we cannot comment further,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

The Italian watchdog said it was reserving the right to impose unspecified restrictions should TikTok, which has seen rapid growth worldwide particularly among teenagers, not withdraw its announced policy changes.

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