No one could miss the TikTok phenomenon. The short video app, initially acclaimed by the little ones, eventually captivated all age groups. TikTok is 3.5 billion downloads worldwide (in the first quarter of 2022), over 1.5 billion monthly active users worldwide (15 millions in France), 7 millions daily users. In 2021, TikTok’s turnover was $58 billion. And to be active, users are active. In 2022, the average time spent on the app was 95 minutes per day per user. That’s four times more than Snapchat, three times more than Twitter, and two times more than Facebook and Instagram. More importantly, kids aged 4 to 15 spend about 75 minutes a day on TikTok (87 minutes for young Americans). That’s all for the battery.
TikTok at its peak in the US
Side face, questions about the application of the Chinese giant ByteDance, in particular the collection and use of data, as well as moderation methods, in particular with young users. In the United States, politicians have taken up this issue. Conservative elected officials accuse TikTok of being a tool of espionage or propaganda in the service of Beijing. Not yet banned throughout the territory, the law just banned son installation on the devices of civil servants. A strong measure that could follow a general ban on US soil. Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher called TikTok “digital fentanyl” (fentanyl is an opioid pain reliever sold in Asia instead of heroin). use of social media, especially by young American men and women.” On the subject of espionage, he explains to NBC News:
We have to ask ourselves if we want the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to control what is about to become the most powerful media group in the United States.
A TikTok spokesperson denied the allegations, saying that the CCP “has no direct or indirect control over ByteDance or TikTok.” However, it is common knowledge that there is at least one CCP member on the board of directors of major Chinese companies. In August 2021, the Chinese state acquired a stake in ByteDance’s Chinese subsidiary and took a seat on the board there, raising questions about Beijing’s influence. So in the US, TikTok tried to defuse the bomb. Although an agreement appeared to have been reached, negotiations have stalled so far.
Europe’s TikTok at the epicenter of the storm
In Europe, the rules for digital giants are being tightened with the introduction of the Digital Market Act and the Digital Services Act. The new European regulation aims, among other things, to further protect user data and strengthen social media moderation. It is two aspects that worry TikTok on the other side of the Atlantic. So Show Zi Chu, the boss of TikTok, took the lead and asked for a meeting with Margrethe Vestager, Commissioner for Competition, Vera Yurova, in charge of Values and Transparency, and Didier Reynders, Commissioner of Justice. In the discussion menu protection personal data, the safety of minors, the transparency of paid political content, and the spread of Russian disinformation on TikTok,” Vera Yurova told AFP. She also suggests that the Chinese company “make extra efforts (…) to restore the confidence of European regulators.” And add:
There can be no doubt about the security of the data of European users, that they are not subject to illegal access by the authorities of third countries.
In Europe, ByteDance is under investigation by the Irish Data Protection Authority. protection confidentiality, suspecting the company of violating European legislation on protection (GDPR) regarding the processing of personal data of children and the transfer of data to China. Finally, regarding the aspect of moderation, Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders emphasized “TikTok’s commitment to countering hate speech and ensuring protection all users, including children,” in part through “the group’s investment in moderation practices to limit exposure to toxic content.” However, despite their commitment, ByteDance still falls short. The company admitted last month that some of its employees had accessed TikTok user data to track journalists and identify sources of media leaks. Mistake, according to Show Tzu Chu, who assured that said employees were fired. A mistake that could cost the company dearly if repeated. Because the new European rules are clear: any company that does not comply with the DMA and DSA is subject to a fine of up to 6% of global turnover. In the case of a repeated offense, Europe gives itself the right to go as far as a ban on service on son territory.
