Data privacy failures at TikTok and Ticketmaster emphasize significant vulnerabilities in the management of sensitive consumer information within global digital platforms. In 2025, TikTok faced a staggering €530 million fine, approximately $600 million, imposed by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC). The penalty stemmed from violations of GDPR Article 46(1), culminating from the illegal transfer of European Economic Area (EEA) user data to servers in China. Of this fine, €485 million addressed illegal data transfers, whereas €45 million pertained to transparency failures.
Following an investigation initiated in September 2021, regulators unearthed critical breaches in TikTok’s data protocols, leading to significant public concern. The shortcomings involved inadequate data protection for European users during data transfers to non-EU nations. Additionally, TikTok failed to meet GDPR transparency requirements by initially withholding information regarding the geographical locations of their data storage and staff access. Importantly, personnel in China and other locations had remote access to sensitive personal data stored in Singapore and the United States.
Regulators uncovered grave breaches in TikTok’s data protocols, raising concerns over inadequate protection for European users’ data.
Even though TikTok initially denied storing EEA user data on Chinese servers, it later acknowledged this practice before purportedly deleting said data. The DPC indicated potential for further penalties, reflecting serious apprehensions regarding data stored in China. One of the largest fines] imposed by the DPC underscores national security concerns about potential Chinese government influence, highlighting the need for robust oversight in digital platforms.
Similarly, Ticketmaster has faced historical scrutiny because of significant data privacy issues, especially a major security breach that compromised millions of customers’ personal and payment details. Such incidents have prompted questions regarding cybersecurity preparedness and heightened fears about managing sensitive consumer data in commercial platforms.
Both cases illustrate growing public and governmental concerns over data sovereignty and the risks associated with sensitive data being accessed by foreign entities. The implications extend beyond individual companies; they evoke broader discussions about the accountability of tech giants under foreign ownership, stirring apprehensions around national security, privacy protections, and the strength of global data management frameworks.
