Privacy Group Files Fresh GDPR Complaints Against TikTok, AliExpress, and WeChat

Last Updated Jul - 17 - 2025, 05:49 PM | Source : Fela News

Austrian privacy watchdog Noyb has filed new complaints against TikTok, AliExpress, and WeChat for failing to comply with EU data access rules under GDPR, urgin

Privacy Group Files Fresh GDPR Complaints Against TikTok

Online privacy advocates have filed new complaints against TikTok and two other Chinese-owned tech companies, alleging non-compliance with EU data access rules. The Austria-based privacy group Noyb (None of Your Business) stated on Thursday (July 17, 2025) that TikTok, AliExpress, and WeChat have failed to meet requirements under the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), despite previous complaints filed in January.

In its latest move, Noyb lodged complaints with data protection authorities in Greece (for TikTok), Belgium (for AliExpress), and the Netherlands (for WeChat), urging regulators to compel the companies to respond to data access requests and impose financial penalties.

While some other Chinese-owned firms like Shein, Temu, and Xiaomi provided further information following the January filings, TikTok, AliExpress, and WeChat were found to still be in violation of GDPR, Noyb claimed.

According to Noyb, TikTok only shared partial user data, which was presented in a disorganized and incomprehensible format. The group said this obstructs EU users' fundamental right to understand how their personal information is handled. TikTok has not responded to media inquiries regarding the allegations.

The complaints come amid ongoing concerns over Chinese firms’ data practices. Beijing recently denied accusations of instructing companies to unlawfully collect or retain user data in Europe. In May, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission fined TikTok €530 million (\$610 million) for transferring user data to China, though the company asserted that access was remote and controlled.

Ireland serves as TikTok’s main EU regulator, given the company’s European base there. Western authorities have long raised concerns that Chinese tech platforms could potentially misuse personal data for surveillance or propaganda.

Noyb, active since the introduction of the GDPR in 2018, has previously taken legal action against major U.S. tech companies like Meta and Google. The group remarked that, in their view, Chinese apps are even more problematic than American ones in terms of privacy violations.