Turkey Fines TikTok IDR 1.4 Billion for Not Protecting Users' Personal Data

JAKARTA - Turkey's Personal Data Protection Council (KVKK) has just fined TikTok, as the social media claims it is not doing more to protect users from unlawful processing of their data.

"(TikTok) did not take all necessary measures to ensure an appropriate level of security to prevent the unlawful processing of personal data," KVKK said in a statement.

The fine set by the KVKK was 1.75 million liras or the equivalent of IDR 1.4 billion. In addition, TikTok must also translate its Terms of Service into Turkish and update the text of its privacy and cookie policies in accordance with country regulations.

In response to this, TikTok said they are currently investigating the Turkish regulator's fine, while they will remain committed to providing users with a safe and secure platform.

"Our uncompromising commitment is to give all users the peace of mind they deserve by ensuring the safety, security and protection of their personal information, because their trust is important to us," said a TikTok spokesperson, as quoted by Reuters, Thursday, March 2.

Statista data reveals that TikTok users in Turkey alone are the ninth most in the world, with around 30 million accounts on the China-based social media platform.

It is known, the fine came amid increasing world concern over ByteDance's short video sharing application and who is accessing its user data.

Government agencies in Europe and Canada have now banned the app from their employees' phones.

Likewise with the United States (US), which has long suspected TikTok, and is now discussing a Bill (RUU), giving US President Joe Biden the authority to ban the application in his country.