Thu Jul 10 13:43:35 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

TikTok is facing a new privacy investigation by the European Union’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) concerning the transfer of user data to China. This inquiry follows a previous investigation that resulted in a €530 million fine for TikTok after it was found to be putting users at risk of spying by allowing remote access to their data from China. The DPC aims to determine if TikTok has complied with GDPR regulations regarding the lawfulness of these data transfers, as European user data can only be transferred outside the EU if adequate safeguards are in place, which China currently lacks. TikTok has not yet responded to requests for comment.

**News Article:**

**EU Launches Fresh Probe into TikTok Over Data Transfers to China**

**London – July 10, 2025:** TikTok is once again under scrutiny in Europe, as the European Union’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) has initiated a new investigation into the popular video-sharing platform regarding the transfer of user data to China. This investigation comes on the heels of a previous inquiry that concluded earlier this year with a hefty €530 million ($620 million) fine levied against TikTok for privacy violations, including allowing remote access to user data from China.

The Irish DPC, serving as TikTok’s lead regulator in the EU due to the company’s European headquarters being located in Dublin, is spearheading the probe. The focus of the investigation is to ascertain whether TikTok has adhered to the stringent data protection regulations outlined in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) when transferring data outside of the bloc.

Concerns arose after TikTok initially claimed that European user data was not stored in China and only accessed remotely by Chinese staff. However, the company later admitted that some data was, in fact, stored on Chinese servers, prompting the DPC to consider further regulatory action.

Under GDPR rules, transferring European user data to countries outside the EU is permissible only if adequate safeguards are in place to ensure a similar level of data privacy protection. Currently, only 15 countries meet this standard, and China is not among them.

This latest investigation adds to the ongoing scrutiny of TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, in Europe. Western officials have expressed concerns over the platform’s handling of personal user information and the potential security risks it poses. TikTok has not yet issued a statement regarding the new inquiry. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for TikTok’s operations in the EU and further shape the debate surrounding data privacy and international data transfers.

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