Tik Tok has suspended changes to its privacy policies related to how ads are targeted to users after Italy’s watchdog warned that the company risked violating European Union rules in this regard.
The Italian Information Protection Authority stated that “Tik Tok informed users that it would provide them with targeted advertisements from July 13 without asking for their consent to use the data stored in their devices.”
“While we engage in responding to questions (from) stakeholders about our proposed modifications to ads directed to users in Europe, we are suspending this portion of our privacy policy update,” a company spokesperson said on Tuesday.
The Italian watchdog warned that it reserves the right to impose indefinite restrictions if TikTok does not withdraw the changes announced in its policy. TikTok also defended its plans for targeted advertising, and a company spokesperson said, “We believe that personal ads provide the best platform experience for our users and put us in line with (this) industry practices. We look forward to working with stakeholders and removing the causes of their concerns.”
The Italian watchdog also informed Ireland’s Data Protection Commission of Tik Tok’s alleged breaches of EU databases.
The Irish authority is the main EU regulator for Tik Tok and other major internet companies. Companies operating in the European Union could face fines of up to four percent of their global revenue for a breach of privacy.
