Bad news for TikTok: Dutch privacy case continues

The court in Amsterdam has given the green light for a mass claim against TikTok. Three claim organizations want to sue the social network for privacy violations and demand billions of euros in damages.

This article was published on November 9th, 2022 on Nu.nl.

The main question was whether the lawsuit could be conducted in the Netherlands. According to TikTok, a Dutch court cannot hear the case because the company is registered in Ireland.

TikTok also thought that the results of an investigation by the Irish privacy watchdog should be awaited. The social network also wanted the European Court of Justice to explain how certain legal rules should be understood.

According to the court of Amsterdam, judges in the Netherlands have jurisdiction to hear a mass claim against TikTok. The court did not agree with the other defenses. Claims organizations Massaschade & Consument, SOMI and Take Back Your Privacy are now allowed to start a collective lawsuit against the social network.

The three foundations say they represent tens of thousands of consumers. Take Back Your Privacy, supported by the Consumers' Association, wants to claim 2 billion euros in damages. SOMI claims 1.4 billion euros and Massaschade & Consument claims compensation of 6 billion euros.

The three foundations must announce before the end of this year whether they want to continue their mass claim. TikTok can respond to that in February 2023. The substantive hearing of the lawsuit is not expected to take place until 2024.

Please find the link to the full article (in Dutch): https://www.nu.nl/tech/6234987/slecht-nieuws-voor-tiktok-nederlandse-privacyzaak-gaat-door.html