A half-billion-euro fine doesn’t come out of nowhere. This time, it hit social media giant TikTok right where it hurts. The European Union fined TikTok a staggering €530 million for failing to adequately protect the personal data of its EU users. Investigations revealed that user data was being transferred to China—without users’ full awareness or control.
This isn’t some abstract violation of policy. It’s a concrete example of how easily our digital identities can slip across borders and into places we never intended.
What Exactly Did TikTok Do?
According to the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), TikTok violated the GDPR—the EU’s strict privacy regulation. Here’s what the DPC found:
- TikTok failed to prove that EU users’ data was securely handled when accessed abroad.
- Staff in China had remote access to user data, without sufficient transparency or accountability.
- The company didn’t conduct proper risk assessments, ignoring how foreign surveillance laws could affect EU citizens.
- TikTok originally claimed it didn’t store EU data in China but later admitted to limited data transfers in February 2025.
The Consequences Are Real
TikTok now has six months to change how it handles user data. If it fails, it must halt all data transfers from the EU to China. Regulators are no longer accepting vague promises or “future security projects”—they want measurable results. This isn’t TikTok’s first offense either; in 2023, it was fined €345 million for failing to protect children’s data.
Why Should Anyone Care?
With around 175 million users in Europe alone, TikTok isn’t just for dance videos and memes. It’s used by everyday people who may not realize that their name, email, location, or even biometric data could be accessed by a foreign government.
Once data leaves EU jurisdiction, you lose all practical control over it. You may never know who accessed it, how it was used, or where it ended up. And once it’s out—there’s no going back.
So What Can You Do?
Deleting TikTok isn’t the only answer. The real question is: how much are you sharing online, and how protected is that data?
One smart approach is combining a VPN with privacy-enhancing tools that shield your identity and contact information. That’s where Surfshark shines. It doesn’t just provide encrypted browsing—it offers real tools like Alternative ID and Surfshark Number to help you stay truly private.
Alternative ID: A Digital Alias That Works
With Alternative ID, you can create a completely new online identity—a fake name and email address to use when signing up for services or newsletters. Your real identity stays hidden, safe from data brokers and phishing attacks.
- Use a different name and email for online registrations.
- Prevent data leaks from reaching your real inbox.
- Swap or delete the ID whenever you choose.
Think of it as your online decoy—a safe, disposable version of you.
Surfshark Number: A Virtual Phone for Real Protection
Today, most sites ask for your phone number. But giving out your real number opens the door to spam, scams, and unwanted calls. Surfshark Number gives you a virtual phone number to use for verification or sign-ups, without exposing your main line.
- Ideal for two-factor authentication.
- Keeps your real number private.
- You can change it anytime.
Why Add a VPN to the Mix?
Even with a fake ID and virtual number, you’re still vulnerable if your internet traffic isn’t encrypted. That’s why using Surfshark VPN completes the picture:
- Encrypts your online activity to stop tracking.
- Hides your IP address and location.
- Lets you safely browse on public WiFi.
Together, these tools form a powerful privacy shield for your digital life.
If Big Tech Won’t Protect You, You Have To
The truth is, even the biggest tech platforms don’t always keep your data safe. Sometimes, they don’t even try. If TikTok—a company used by hundreds of millions—can get caught mishandling data, imagine what smaller apps might be doing behind the scenes.
You don’t have to wait for another scandal to take action. With tools like Surfshark’s Alternative ID, Surfshark Number, and encrypted VPN, you can take your privacy back—without deleting your favorite apps.
Your data isn’t just numbers on a screen. It’s your digital fingerprint. It tells the world who you are, what you do, and where you go. Don’t wait until it ends up in the wrong hands.
Take back control. Stay private. Stay safe.
