A multi-million euro fine of social media platform TikTok could deter it from repeating reported data privacy violations, according to one tech expert. 

The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) announced a €345 million fine for TikTok following findings it implemented “dark patterns” that that nudged users towards more “privacy intrusive” options. 

The investigation also found adults could enable direct messages for certain teenagers who they have no family connection with and the privacy settings for children on the app defaulted to public, posing “several possible risks” to children using the app. 

The DPC said TikTok have been issued a reprimand and fine and must also bring their data processing into compliance with the DPC within three months.

'The regulator is now very strict'

Irish Independent Tech Editor Adrian Weckler said the Irish data regulators have cracked down on big tech in recent years. 

“€345 million fine brings to almost €3 billion in fines that the Irish regulator has placed on big tech companies over the last two years,” he said. 

“It probably will be a deterrent to the likes of TikTok and will certainly them realise that the regulator is now very strict and is really ramping up in terms of enforcement.” 

In May 2023, Meta-owned Facebook was fined a record €1.2 billion after it breached GDPR by transferring European users’ data to the US.