SOMI Newsletter - March 22th, 2022
This is the newsletter for March 2022 from the Foundation for Market Information Research to its relations, including the participants in its actions, its sympathizers, and app users.
News
Upcoming: TikTok hearing on 6th April 2022
The District Court of Amsterdam has determined the TikTok procedure in three phases. On Wednesday, April 6th, the first phase of the procedure will start with a hearing on the defendants' statement on the jurisdiction of Dutch court. Follow by an oral hearing within the period of 2-6 months, and the interlocutory judgment.
Click here for more information on TikTok claim.
----------------------------------------
Video
THE TIKTOK GIFTING GATE - How TIKTOKERS MISLEAD Children
TikTok battles are becoming more and more popular. TikTokkers battle against each other in these live events and hundreds to thousands of euros are spent. The online medium Nieuwskamer received signals that children also spend this kind of money, without being really aware of it.
Why do the TikTokkers accept money from children? How do the children who give gifts feel? How is it possible that TikTok has regulations that prohibit these practices, but it still continues?
This video was created by Nieuwskamer (in Dutch). Featuring Menno Weij, member of the Supervisory Board of SOMI.
----------------------------------------
Blog
Is Facebook losing control?
The year 2021 did not go well for Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg in particular. One PR disaster followed another. It is gradually starting to appear that Zuckerberg's club is gradually losing control of its own future.
----------------------------------------
SOMI App Monetization
In February 2022, we started introducing fees for GDPR services through our app. This step was necessary to guarantee quality and to be able to continue to work in a cost-effective manner. It offers us the opportunity to continue to expand our future services in the field of privacy and data protection.
Since the launch of the SOMI app in October 2022, we have been able to offer all our services for free. However, the large number of data requests we have received from across the EU makes it difficult for us to continue to do this for free while continuing to improve the quality of our app at the same time. Our basic service remains free, but for a number of services that are more labour-intensive, we have now included a system of tokens in the app to recuperate costs.
FAQs
1. What is 'HT'?
HT is the name of the tokens that can be used to purchase several of our GDPR services by way of our app.
2. Where can I buy HT Tokens?
HT tokens can only be purchased via your personal login account on my.somi.nl, under the 'Packages' tab. You can also earn HT tokens yourself for your participation in the development of SOMI app; for example, inviting friends, reporting data breaches or subscribing to our newsletter.
You can check out the prices of HT tokens on the table below.
3. Can I use HT Tokens elsewhere?
No, HT Tokens can only be spent on SOMI app for actions such as 'Collect' personal data, 'Collect & Investigate', or 'Collect & Erase', as well as on the 'Data-leak check' feature.
4. Why is monetization of SOMI app necessary?
SOMI is a non-profit public service organization. We would like to cover our costs with contributions from the users without selling advertisements or data. SOMI wants to do more against companies that track, manipulate and sell personal data. That is why we have decided to charge a small fee for our services directly instead. This will enable us to serve you better in the future as well.
As an introduction, SOMI offers its tokens to an equivalent value of EUR 17.50 to all participants who have registered previously with our foundation over the past year. Please reach out to campaign@somi.nl to receive your free HT Tokens.
Best regards,
SOMI
All your data. All yours.
----------------------------------------
About SOMI
The Foundation for Market Information Research (SOMI) is a non-profit organization set up to identify and influence issues of social importance.
SOMI is a recognized claims foundation in the field of privacy and data autonomy and is committed, among other things, to the protection of the fundamental rights of consumers and minors who use various online services. With the app that SOMI has developed, we want to restore ownership and control over personal data to all the people: All your data. all yours.
SOMI investigates abuses, informs the public and helps injured parties. SOMI does this by conducting collective proceedings and claiming compensation.
SOMI is currently investigating alleged GDPR violations by Facebook and TikTok.