In a major blow to popular social media platform TikTok, the company has been hit with a massive $600 million fine by Irish regulators for violating GDPR data protection laws. The fines come after concerns were raised about how the app handles user data, particularly in relation to its Chinese ownership.

TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has faced criticism from multiple countries over its data practices. The Irish Data Protection Commission, which is responsible for regulating tech companies operating in the European Union, found that TikTok was not transparent about its data processing activities and failed to obtain proper consent from users.

The hefty fine serves as a warning to tech giants that they must adhere to strict data protection laws, especially when dealing with sensitive user information. The EU has been increasingly scrutinizing tech companies over data privacy concerns, with China's influence over companies like TikTok heightening tensions.

TikTok has stated that it will work to improve its data protection practices and comply with the regulations set forth by the Irish authorities. However, the fine underscores the growing importance of safeguarding user data in an era where privacy breaches are all too common.