AliExpress, TikTok, WeChat Hit with EU Privacy Complaints for Withholding User Data Access
Austrian privacy advocacy group noyb has filed formal complaints against AliExpress, TikTok, and WeChat over alleged violations of European Union privacy laws.
According to noyb, these Chinese-owned platforms have failed to comply with GDPR requirements that mandate giving users full access to their data upon request.
What Happened?
On Thursday, July 17, 2025, noyb (None of Your Business), a well-known European data protection group, lodged the complaints with relevant EU data protection authorities.
“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, data protection lawyer at noyb.
While many tech companies offer user-friendly tools for downloading personal data, noyb claims that these Chinese platforms make it difficult or impossible for users to retrieve all their stored information.
Background: What is noyb?
Founded by privacy activist Max Schrems, noyb is known for holding major tech companies accountable under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Past noyb actions have triggered investigations and multi-billion dollar fines against giants like:
- Apple
- Alphabet (Google)
- Meta (Facebook, Instagram)
In January 2025, noyb had also filed complaints against six Chinese companies, calling for:
- Suspension of data transfers to China
- Fines up to 4% of global revenue for non-compliance
Why This Matters: GDPR and User Rights
Under EU GDPR rules, users have the right to request:
- A full copy of all personal data held about them
- Information on how their data is processed
- Access to download or delete their data
Failure to comply can lead to:
- Heavy regulatory fines
- Operational restrictions within the EU market
According to noyb, AliExpress, TikTok, and WeChat are not meeting these legal obligations, posing risks to user privacy across Europe.
Potential Impact on Chinese Tech Giants
This latest complaint increases regulatory pressure on Chinese tech firms already facing global scrutiny over:
- Data privacy concerns
- Cross-border data transfers
- Security risks tied to Chinese ownership
If found in violation, AliExpress, TikTok, and WeChat could face fines amounting to 4% of their global annual revenue under GDPR.
What’s Next?
EU data protection authorities are expected to review noyb’s complaints and may initiate investigations into:
- Data access compliance procedures
- User rights violation cases
- Cross-border data flow policies
No formal statements have been issued yet by TikTok, AliExpress, or WeChat in response to these latest privacy complaints.
Conclusion
The EU’s privacy watchdogs are again being called on to take action, this time against some of the biggest Chinese-owned digital platforms.
With data privacy becoming a critical regulatory focus, especially within Europe, the outcome of noyb’s complaints against AliExpress, TikTok, and WeChat could have lasting implications for international tech companies operating under GDPR rules.
