As the United States tightens restrictions on TikTok for public servants, concerns about privacy and the platform’s impact on young users remain high on the agenda. European Union leaders plan to engage with the company this week to discuss data protection, mental health considerations for minors, and broader regulatory obligations. The talks aim to clarify how user data is handled across borders and to assess ongoing compliance with EU standards for digital platforms that reach millions of European residents.
Shou Zi Chew, the chief executive officer of TikTok, travelled to Brussels to participate in discussions with the European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, the European Commissioner for Justice and Consumers Vera Jourova, and the European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson. The meetings bring together top EU officials to examine the company’s data practices, governance, and transparency measures in a bid to resolve lingering concerns about access to non-public information by personnel inside the company and the safeguards in place to protect user privacy.
These discussions come amid renewed scrutiny from the United States, which has signaled a potential partial ban on the service, reflecting ongoing worries about national security and information access. The atmosphere in Europe mirrors these concerns, with regulators evaluating whether user data should remain within the EU or be allowed to flow to servers located in China. Officials are keen to understand how TikTok plans to align with EU data protection rules and what safeguards will be implemented to prevent data misuse.
EU officials are set to review how TikTok intends to comply with the Digital Services Act, a cornerstone regulation designed to oversee large online platforms operating within the union. A Vestager spokesperson noted that the objective is to observe how the company is preparing to meet any forthcoming obligations under EU rules and to verify ongoing governance and accountability practices. The discussions will also touch on the platform’s responsibilities around content moderation, misinformation, and the protection of minors from potential harms online.
In addition to data privacy and regulatory compliance, the dialogue will address concerns about the wellbeing of younger users who engage with the platform. French President Emmanuel Macron has criticized TikTok for potentially fostering unhealthy dependency and for allowing disinformation to spread, particularly in relation to geopolitical issues and false narratives. EU officials want clear assurances that the platform is actively promoting safe usage patterns while providing resources for digital literacy among young audiences.