Class action lawsuit filed against TikTok in Berlin

The Dutch non-profit foundation Onderzoek Marktinformatie (Somi) has filed a class action lawsuit against the video platform TikTok with the Berlin Higher Regional Court. With the lawsuit, the foundation seeks to secure damages for consumers. It accuses TikTok of collecting and analyzing personal data and secretly creating comprehensive behavioral and personality profiles for advertising and other purposes, the court announced on Tuesday. (Case No. 24 VKl 1/25)

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Somi had already filed a lawsuit against the online platform X at the end of May. These are so-called remedial actions under the Consumer Rights Enforcement Act: A consumer association can assert claims against a company on behalf of those affected. 

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In its lawsuit against TikTok, the association is specifically demanding €2,000 for users of the platform under 16, €1,000 for 16- to 21-year-olds, and €500 for those over 21. TikTok is creating "a system of manipulation and addiction, particularly for children and young people, through the design of its algorithm," the court quoted from the lawsuit. 

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Those affected must register their claims with the Federal Office of Justice. If their claim is successful, they will receive the money they are entitled to. The court announced that the lawsuit had been served on TikTok; a response has not yet been received. 

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Proceedings are also underway at the EU level against TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese company Bytedance. Among other things, these concerns concern the protection of minors from violent depictions and the dangers of addiction on the platform. If the EU Commission's allegations are confirmed, the company faces heavy fines.

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Pressure from Brussels had already had an effect last year: After a warning from the EU Commission, Tiktok abolished a controversial reward function in Europe.