China allegedly accessed the TikTok data of Hong Kong activists, including personal information, according to a lawsuit by ByteDance's former executive.
However, the Chinese-based social media giant denied doing so.
China Allegedly Accessed TikTok Data of Hong Kong Activists
A man walks past a restaurant with a TikTok logo displayed in the window in Beijing on September 14, 2020, where it offers a discount to anyone who posts videos on the TikTok app.
As per The Wall Street Journal, a former executive at ByteDance, the TikTok parent, has come forward with claims that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) gained unauthorized access to user data of Hong Kong activists.
It is worth noting that TikTok, known for its short video format and viral trends, has amassed millions of users across the globe, including a significant user base in Hong Kong.
The explosive claims paint a worrying picture of digital surveillance and potential abuse of power. TikTok, which has faced scrutiny in the past over alarming data privacy concerns, now finds itself at the center of controversy yet again.
According to Forbes, the former leader of ByteDance's United States (US) engineering team, Yintao Yu, has brought his previous employer to court over his alleged wrongful termination.
His lawsuit filing includes disturbing claims, which expose what appears to be a serious privacy breach. The recent court filing accused the Chinese Communist Party committee of gaining access to the IP address and SIM card IDs of TikTok users in Hong Kong, including protesters and activists, last 2018. On top of that, Yu further claims that the CPP got its hands on the communications data of the Hong Kong-based TikTokers.
The allegation transpired in the same years as the trial of Pro-Democracy demonstrators under the sensational 2014 Yellow Umbrella movement.
The former ByteDance employee further disclosed that the TikTok parent used its "god credential" to gain access to the personal data of the pro-democracy protesters, Bloomberg reports.
But for now, the lawsuit is still pending, and it remains to be seen whether Yu's allegations will be proven.
Read Also: Is TikTok Banned in China? Here's Why It's Not Available There
TikTok Denies Helping China Track Hong Kong Protesters
Meanwhile, the giant video-sharing app TikTok vehemently dismissed the bold allegations of the former ByteDance employee.
The China-based service denied that it provided the data of its users in Hong Kong to the Chinese government.
The spokesperson of ByteDance told the Wall Street Journal that they believe that the accusations of Yu are merely "baseless claims and allegations." It emphasized that they are committed to protecting the privacy and data of its users.
Despite that, US lawmakers have long been accusing TikTok of privacy concerns, alleging that the CPP has access to the data of American users.
In fact, Montana banned the Chinese-owned social network last May over data privacy issues. However, TikTok users, as well as the tech giant itself, have challenged this measure by filing lawsuits against the state.
Related Article: TikTok Sues Montana to Overturn First-Ever US Statewide Ban
