TikTok has launched a new data portability API that allows users to transfer their data between the platform and third-party apps. This feature is part of TikTok’s efforts to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which comes into effect this week in the European Union.
The DMA aims to regulate digital platforms that have significant market power (known as “gatekeepers”) and ensure fair competition and open innovation.
The TikTok data portability API covers details such as profile information, posts, followers, activity, and direct messages of users. This feature is available worldwide, but only for qualified applicants from the European Economic Area (EEA). To do this, applicants must have a clear use case; serve TikTok users in the EEA and be able to distinguish them; provide UX mockups, and pass a privacy and security review.
TikTok has stated that this API will allow continuous and real-time data portability, and that it aligns with their efforts to improve user privacy. However, the company has also challenged its designation as a gatekeeper by the DMA, arguing that this category favors established competitors in the market and that TikTok is a new platform. The social network has said that it supports the goals of the DMA, but will continue with its legal appeal against this designation.
