AliExpress, TikTok, and WeChat Face EU Privacy Complaints Over Data Access

Austrian privacy advocacy group noyb has filed complaints against Chinese tech giants AliExpress, TikTok, and WeChat, accusing them of violating European Union data privacy laws. According to noyb, these platforms failed to provide users with full access to their personal data, a right guaranteed under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

While many global tech companies offer user-friendly tools to download personal data, noyb claims that some Chinese platforms are making the process unnecessarily difficult. “TikTok, AliExpress, and WeChat love collecting as much data about you as possible – but vehemently refuse to give you full access as required by EU law,” said Kleanthi Sardeli, a data protection lawyer at noyb.

Noyb, short for "None of Your Business," is known for its legal action against major U.S. tech firms like Apple, Alphabet, and Meta. Its lawsuits have led to investigations and fines totaling billions of euros. The latest complaints continue the group’s broader efforts to hold international firms accountable for privacy violations in the EU.

In January, noyb also filed cases against six Chinese companies, demanding the suspension of data transfers to China and urging regulators to impose penalties that could reach up to 4% of a company’s global revenue.

The new filings intensify scrutiny on how Chinese tech platforms handle European user data, potentially setting the stage for significant regulatory and financial consequences. The complaints come amid growing tensions between the EU and foreign digital platforms over data protection, transparency, and compliance with GDPR. As enforcement tightens, companies failing to meet EU standards could face increased legal and reputational risks.