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China has denied allegations that it requires companies to hand over user data, following a record fine issued to TikTok by European regulators over data privacy breaches.
On Friday, the European Union fined the video-sharing platform €530 million (£455 million) for transferring user data from Europe to China without adequate protection against potential access by Chinese authorities. It marks the second-largest data protection fine ever imposed by the EU.
TikTok, which is owned by Beijing-based tech giant ByteDance, has said it will appeal the decision.
Responding to the ruling, China’s foreign ministry insisted the country “has never and will never require enterprises or individuals to collect or store data by illegal means.” It further urged the EU and Ireland — where TikTok’s European headquarters is located — to offer “a fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment” for companies from all countries.
The fine follows mounting global scrutiny of TikTok over fears that personal data from users, particularly in Western countries, could be accessed by the Chinese government. TikTok has consistently denied any wrongdoing and maintains that it complies with relevant data laws.
Concerns over privacy and misinformation have led several countries to suspend or ban the platform at different times, including France (in New Caledonia), Nepal, and Pakistan.
The EU penalty is likely to increase pressure on TikTok in the United States, where lawmakers passed legislation in 2024 requiring ByteDance to sell its US operations or face an outright ban. US President Donald Trump twice extended the deadline for the forced sale, with the latest deadline now set for 19 June.
Despite global concerns, Beijing maintains that it does not access user data held by private companies operating abroad and continues to insist that it respects local laws and regulations.
