TikTok gives users enhanced data control for DMA compliance

TikTok launched a brand new Knowledge Portability API as a part of its efforts to adjust to the Digital Markets Act, which is being rolled out this week.

This function provides customers on the platform the choice to decide on how their knowledge is dealt with between the platform and third-party apps. It aligns with TikTok’s ongoing efforts to reinforce person privateness, following its latest introduction of superior knowledge management instruments and the flexibility to disable personalization within the app.

What’s Knowledge Portability API? TikTok’s Knowledge Portability API permits customers to authorize the switch of their data and third-party apps. This knowledge encompasses particulars comparable to:

• Profile data.
• Posts data.
• Followers and following lists.
• Exercise.
• Direct messages.

Presently, this function is restricted to the European Financial Space (EEA), however TikTok is actively engaged on making this API extra broadly accessible sooner or later.

Accessibility. TikTok’s Knowledge Portability API is globally obtainable however at the moment restricted to certified candidates, particularly overlaying knowledge for TikTok customers within the EEA. To qualify for entry, candidates should meet the next standards:

• Have a well-defined use case that requires entry to a number of of the listed scopes.
• Serve TikTok customers within the EEA and be capable of distinguish them (the API won’t return knowledge for customers exterior the EEA).
• Present high-fidelity UX mockups and move a privateness and safety overview to make sure person safet.

What TikTok is saying. TikTok mentioned in an announcement:

• “Knowledge Portability API will enable registered builders to request person permission to switch a duplicate of their TikTok knowledge.”
• “EEA customers will be capable of authorise both a one-time or recurring switch, and can be capable of choose particular classes of information or their full archive, permitting for steady and real-time knowledge portability.”

Authorized points. The DMA requires knowledge portability for platforms seen as “gatekeepers” by EU officers – nonetheless, TikTok disputes its designation as a gatekeeper. Whereas TikTok’s enchantment is pending, it should nonetheless put together for DMA compliance, aligning with the most recent rules. The platform defined:

• “As now we have made clear, we absolutely assist the targets of the DMA, however imagine that our designation dangers undermining the DMA’s personal said objective by defending precise gatekeepers from newer opponents like TikTok and can proceed our authorized problem to the underlying designation.”

Why we care. If TikTok doesn’t adhere to the DMA, it would face penalties and the danger of being inaccessible to its 134 million customers in Europe. This might critically hurt advertisers working campaigns within the EEA on the platform.

Deep dive. Learn TikTok’s announcement in full for extra data.