The non-governmental organization Ius Omnibus justifies the legal proceedings brought in Portugal against the TikTok app on the “very difficult protection issues” of the personal data and health of young users of the Chinese social network.
In an interview with Lusa, the general secretary of this consumer protection association, Daniela Antao, highlights that the two lawsuits filed with Lisbon’s Central Civil Court could result in collective compensation of up to 1.12 billion euros due to alleged “unfair commercial practices” and alleged user rights violations.
“The TikTok case poses very difficult challenges for the protection of children, adolescents and adults in general,” he says, noting: “We cannot help but act in the face of a complex of illegal, disloyal practices and extremely serious consequences, which we understand. what TikTok behavior causes for TikTok users in Portugal.”
According to the secretary-general, the social network, owned by the Chinese group ByteDance, communicates its privacy policy “a bit transparently and opaquely,” meaning that users “are not entirely aware of the data being collected, of how it is used.” made from this data, how it is shared, to which organizations and to what extent” this information.
On the other hand, Daniela Antao warns that TikTok is supporting “a set of content dangerous to physical and mental health that encourages suicide and self-harm and promotes eating disorders” among young people.
In this sense, two claims have been filed: one directed at users under the age of 13, for whom compensation of up to 450 million euros is protected; and another concerning TikTok users over 13 who are seeking compensation of up to 670 million euros. In order to qualify for compensation, users must register on the platform, which should become available online this Wednesday.
“In the case of children under the age of 13, the fact that minors cannot register or use the platform without the permission of their legal representatives stands out. Our actions demonstrate that TikTok is not implementing the basic measures necessary to prevent such access. “Not only does he not take these measures, but he deliberately and deliberately exploits the economic benefits from these users,” he says.
In addition to the financial implications that these processes may have, Secretary General Ius Omnibus notes the possible social implications. “If TikTok respects the norms that bind it (…), what will happen is that we will have a generation of children and adolescents who are no longer exposed to forms that can cause serious impairment in personality development and create an aggravation of addiction,” — note .
“The big social impact,” states Daniela Antao, “is that this platform stops harming Portuguese users and strives – through user and market discipline – to be a healthy entertainment platform.”
In response to a question about the growing restrictions imposed in a number of countries, the representative of an NGO distances the legal nature of these processes from possible geopolitical or security considerations.
“The law must apply regardless of whether the company is of Chinese, French, American or Icelandic origin. opinion and of the Portuguese authorities, acts, actions and initiatives must be taken in this matter.”
“To oblige a company to have platform entry rules that are truly transparent and allow people to know exactly what is being done with their data is fundamental,” he concludes.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Tifany Hawkins, a professional journalist with years of experience in news reporting. I currently work for a prominent news website and write articles for 24NewsReporters as an author. My primary focus is on economy-related stories, though I am also experienced in several other areas of journalism.