![](https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/shutterstock_1443662735-e1596717695283.jpg)
European regulators have imposed a substantial fine of $368 million on TikTok for its failure to safeguard children’s privacy. This marks the first instance of the widely used short video-sharing app facing consequences for violating Europe’s stringent data privacy regulations.
The Data Protection Commission of Ireland, which serves as the primary privacy overseer for major tech companies with their European bases predominantly in Dublin, announced a fine of 345 million euros against TikTok and issued a reprimand for its privacy infringements that occurred during the latter half of 2020.
The investigation revealed that the registration process for teenage users resulted in default settings that made their accounts public, permitting anyone to view and comment on their videos. These default settings also posed a risk to children under the age of 13 who accessed the platform, even though it’s prohibited for them.
Additionally, a feature known as “family pairing,” designed to allow parents to manage settings, was found to be insufficiently strict, enabling adults to enable direct messaging for users aged 16 and 17 without their consent. It also guided teenage users into more privacy-invasive options during sign-up and video posting, according to the regulatory authority.
TikTok responded to the decision by stating its disagreement, particularly with the magnitude of the imposed fine. The company highlighted that most of the criticisms from the regulator focused on features and settings from three years ago. TikTok noted that it had already implemented changes well before the investigation commenced in September 2021, such as setting all accounts for users under 16 to private by default and disabling direct messaging for 13- to 15-year-olds.
Elaine Fox, TikTok’s head of privacy for Europe, emphasized in a blog post that many of the criticisms in the decision were no longer applicable due to measures taken by the company at the beginning of 2021, several months before the investigation began.
Related: TikTok Updates Data Usage Regulations To Fit EU Laws
The Irish regulatory authority has faced criticism for the perceived sluggishness of its investigations into major tech firms since the implementation of EU privacy laws in 2018. In the case of TikTok, German and Italian regulators had disagreements with aspects of a preliminary decision issued a year ago, further delaying the process.
To address potential bottlenecks, the European Union’s headquarters in Brussels has assumed the responsibility of enforcing new regulations aimed at promoting digital competition and enhancing the oversight of social media content. These rules are designed to maintain the EU’s role as a global leader in tech regulation.
In response to initial objections from German authorities, Europe’s top panel of data regulators noted that TikTok used pop-up notices to guide teenage users but failed to present their choices in a neutral and objective manner.
Source: Kake
![](https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ofbusiness-steel-procurement.jpg)
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed strong disapproval on Monday regarding the U.S. government’s decision to block Nippon Steel’s (5401.T) acquisition of U.S. Steel (X.N). According to Reuters, Ishiba labeled the move as “unjust political interference” after a U.S. government review board and then-President Joe Biden’s administration halted the deal.
Ishiba also voiced concerns about a separate issue – U.S. President Donald Trump’s ongoing discussions to impose tariffs on auto imports. In a parliamentary meeting, Ishiba highlighted Japan’s significant role in the U.S. economy, stressing that Japan’s contributions to job creation and the daily lives of Americans distinguish it from other nations. He noted that Japan has been the largest investor in the United States for the past five years.
“Japan is different from other countries because it contributes to job creation and the daily lives of people in the United States,” Ishiba stated, according to Reuters.
Related: US Consumers File Lawsuit to Block Nippon Steel’s Acquisition of US Steel
Ishiba also took aim at the non-tariff barriers that have been criticized by President Trump. “It’s strange that consumer safety measures are counted as barriers,” he remarked, questioning the rationale behind such classifications.
On the topic of the blocked merger between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel, the Prime Minister suggested that even if the plan to fully acquire the American company changes, it would not necessarily lead to a decline in profits for the Japanese firm. He emphasized that Japan would continue to assert the validity of its positions in these matters.
According to Reuters, Ishiba’s remarks reflect Japan’s frustration with recent trade tensions and the barriers that have emerged in U.S.-Japan economic relations. As Japan continues to advocate for its interests, it remains determined to maintain strong ties with the United States.
Source: Reuters
Featured News
Japan’s Prime Minister Criticizes US Block on Nippon Steel-US Steel Deal
Feb 17, 2025 by
CPI
UAE Cabinet Announces New Merger Control Filing Thresholds Effective March 2025
Feb 17, 2025 by
CPI
UK Regulator Warns Topps Tiles Acquisition Could Hurt Competition
Feb 17, 2025 by
CPI
FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson Backs Trump’s Authority to Remove Commissioners
Feb 17, 2025 by
CPI
South Korea Suspends Downloads of Chinese AI App DeepSeek Over Data Privacy Concerns
Feb 17, 2025 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – International Criminal Enforcement
Jan 23, 2025 by
CPI
The Antitrust Division’s Recent Work to Combat International Cartels
Jan 23, 2025 by
Emma Burnham & Benjamin Christenson
Information Sharing: The New Frontier of U.S. Antitrust Enforcement
Jan 23, 2025 by
Brian P. Quinn, Casey Kovarik & Michael Tubach
The Key Role of Guidelines on Exchanges of Information Among Competitors and the Divergent Transatlantic Paths
Jan 23, 2025 by
Rosa Abrantes-Metz & Albert Metz
Leniency, Whistleblowers, and Compliance
Jan 23, 2025 by
Richard Powers, Tara O’Malley & Cory Gordon