TikTok Fined $7 Million For Tracking Users Without Consent

South Korea's privacy watchdog has fined TikTok 10.3 billion won ($7 million) for unlawfully collecting and using users' behavioural data from third-party services to personalize advertisements. The Personal Information Protection Commission said TikTok collected data from 9.45 million users in South Korea without proper consent.

The commission said TikTok used tools distributed to third-party websites and applications to collect the data, which was then used for personalized advertisements. The company failed to properly notify users of such actions, violating the personal information law.

The fine was levied on Singapore-based TikTok Pte. Ltd., which operates the social media giant's services in South Korea. The watchdog said the company's actions were a clear violation of the law and that users had a right to know how their data was being used.

In a separate case, the watchdog ordered corrective measures against two Apple Inc. subsidiaries and fined them a combined 252 million won for personal information violations. The subsidiaries were found to have collected voice recordings and transcripts of users of the company's Siri voice assistant without consent.

The commission said Apple collected voice recordings of Siri users and text transcripts of the recordings without their permission until August 2019. While the company started asking for consent for voice recordings in October 2019, it did not do so for transcripts.

The fines are part of a larger crackdown on companies that violate user privacy in South Korea. Last month, the data protection regulator fined e-commerce company Coupang Corp. a record 624.7 billion won ($410 million) over privacy violations, including a massive data breach that affected more than 37 million users.

The Personal Information Protection Commission has been actively enforcing the country's personal information law, which requires companies to obtain user consent before collecting and using their data. The law also requires companies to notify users of how their data is being used and to take steps to protect user data.

The fines imposed on TikTok and Apple subsidiaries are a reminder to companies of the importance of protecting user privacy and complying with the law. The cases also highlight the need for users to be aware of how their data is being used and to take steps to protect their own privacy.

In the context of the global debate on data privacy, the fines imposed by the South Korean regulator are significant. They demonstrate the commitment of the South Korean government to protecting user privacy and enforcing the law.

The impact of the fines on TikTok and Apple subsidiaries is likely to be significant, with both companies facing reputational damage and potential losses. The cases also have implications for other companies operating in South Korea, which must now ensure that they are complying with the law and protecting user privacy.

In conclusion, the fines imposed on TikTok and Apple subsidiaries are a reminder of the importance of protecting user privacy and complying with the law. The cases highlight the need for companies to be transparent about how they use user data and to take steps to protect user privacy. As the global debate on data privacy continues, the actions of the South Korean regulator are likely to have significant implications for companies operating in the country and around the world.