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After India and US, EU consumers raise concern over TikTok's violation of user rights

Brussels-based BEUC said in a statement on Tuesday that probe should be launched in “unfair” copyright policy and virtual coins of TikTok.

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In a major trouble for China-owned video-sharing app TikTok, European consumer campaign group BEUC warned on Tuesday that TikTok is breaching users’ rights “on a massive scale.” 

Brussels-based BEUC said in a statement on Tuesday that probe should be launched in “unfair” copyright policy and virtual coins of TikTok. The BEUC also highlighted the fact that TikTok did not take any measure to protect children and teenagers from harmful content or hidden advertising.

“In just a few years, TikTok has become one of the most popular social media apps with millions of users across Europe. But TikTok is letting its users down by breaching their rights," Monique Goyens, BEUC’s director general, was quoted as saying by Bloomberg.

Goyens added that a complaint has been filed by BEUC with the European Commission and national consumer-protection authorities.

It is to be noted that ByteDance Ltd’s TikTok is also facing investigation by EU data authorities over its handling of children’s personal information. In a separate development, ByteDance is also in talks with the US authorities over potential security concerns following former president Donald Trump’s attempt to ban the app in 2020.

According to BEUC, the copyright terms of TikTok are unfair as it gives the company an irrevocable right to use videos without payment. The group also raised concerns over TikTok selling coins for virtual gifts.

“Keeping our community safe, especially our younger users, and complying with the laws where we operate are responsibilities we take incredibly seriously,” TikTok said.

“We have taken a range of major steps, including making all accounts belonging to users under 16 private by default. We’ve also developed an in-app summary of our privacy policy with vocabulary and a tone of voice that makes it easier for teens to understand our approach to privacy," it added.

It may be recalled that Indian government had banned TikTok in 2021 over privacy concerns.

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