Dutch Organization Sues TikTok, X in Germany for EU Law Breaches
The Dutch Foundation for Market Information Research (SOMI) filed four cross-border class actions in Germany against TikTok and X. Announced Wednesday, the multi-billion-euro lawsuits seek injunctive relief and damages for violations of German and EU law, particularly the Digital Services Act (DSA), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and AI Act (AIA). Leipzig, Germany-based law firm Spirit Legal announced the suits.
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The lawsuits allege that TikTok deliberately manipulates young users and misuses sensitive data to feed its recommendation algorithms, deploying addictive design strategies that exploit behavioral psychology to maximize user engagement. The system design breaches the AIA's prohibition of manipulative, deceptive and exploitative AI systems, Spirit Legal said. It also accused the company of illegally spying on users who used its in-app browser.
X has repeatedly failed to report significant data breaches, didn't inform affected users, and hasn't provided compensation, the firm said. In addition, X processes sensitive user data to power its recommendation algorithms without any legal basis.
Both platforms facilitate the spread of disinformation, deepfakes, and misleading content, with political content often covertly sponsored, financed from abroad or disseminated without clear labeling, the firm said -- all serious violations of German law and of the DSA, GPDR and AIA.
The suits seek a ban on unlawful profiling; tougher child and youth protection measures; and effective measures against disinformation and foreign influence. They call for financial compensation for affected TikTok users, of which there are around 20 million in Germany, ranging from $520 to $2,100 per user, and for between $781 and $1,041 per X user, of which there are some 11 million in the country.
Affected users can register free with Germany's Federal Office of Justice via the class action register, or on SOMI's platforms and apps, the firm noted.