TikTok could be fined for insufficient information about cookie opt-out options. Unclear cookie information has just put the short video social networking platform a €5 million fine fee.
TikTok Could Be Fined For Insufficient Information about Cookie Opt-Out Options
The body that is responsible for data protection in France – Commission National de I’Informatique et des Libertes (CNIL) has now issued a €5 million fine against social media platform TikTok UK and TikTok Ireland for failing to give sufficient information in regards to the usage of cookies on its site.
In an unlogged capacity following a series of sessions forming part of an investigation into and against TikTok’s online web platform and not the app, it was found that the platform was failing in its part to offer an option that is clear enough for users to opt out of the usage of cookies, despite the platform offering a one-click solution to opt-in, and thus discouraging users from opting out.
The Investigation Took Place between May 2020 and June 2022
The investigation in question that took place between May 2020 and June 2022 also sighted that the purpose of cookies on the website was not straightforward enough on the first-level information banner, nor was it on the other hand enough when users had to click on a link within the banner.
Various breaches of article 82 of the Data Protection Act were seen, which according to reports by Bleeping Computers, align with the GDPR that is in place in the EU, thus leading to the issuance of a €5 million fine on TikTok by the CNIL.
The Reason and Accumulation of the Fine
The total sum of the fine according to an extract from the CNIL site was reportedly founded on “the basis of the breaches identified the number of people concerned – including minors – and the numerous previous communications from the CNIL on the fact that it must be as simple to refuse cookies as to accept them.”
The CNIL Has Also Been Challenging the Online Practices of Various Companies
The CNIL also have been challenging the online practices of tons of other firms in recent months, issuing an €8 million fine to Apple over the ads on the app store, a big €60 million fine to Microsoft over the collection of cookies, and another €800,000 fine to discord over the platform’s failure to comply with some GDPR regulations, all of which however since November 2022.
TikTok’s Reaction to the Recent Development
A spokesperson from TikTok told TechRadar Pro: “These findings relate to past practices that we addressed last year, including making it easier to reject non-essential cookies and providing additional information about the purposes of certain cookies. The CNIL itself highlighted our cooperation during the course of the investigation and user privacy remains a top priority for TikTok.”
