TikTok didn’t respond to the Buzzfeed News report in this announcement but did try to provide some context in a letter responding to US officials’ calls for clarity. The announcement doesn’t address those issues. This comes despite proof in a Buzzfeed News report showing Bytedance (TikTok’s parent company) employees and Chinese officials have unfettered access to TikTok users’ data. It includes minimizing employee access to user data and data transfers across regions. The announcement also mentions some highlights accomplished during Cloutier’s 2-year tenure. In its announcement, TikTok states Cloutier will move into an advisory role to “focus on the business impact of security and trust programs.” Interestingly, Cloutier also mentions the company’s recent announcement about data management changes in the US, which refers to TikTok migrating its US user-generated data to Oracle’s servers. TikTok’s Head of Global Security Steps Down Given the recent international backlash over TikTok’s invasive data collection practices, the app may be scrambling to protect its public image. Two significant privacy-related changes in one week could point to internal instability in the company. However, multiple European watchdogs got involved, and Italy even sent TikTok a formal warning last week, causing the company to pause and reevaluate its plan. After the update, TikTok would have stopped asking users for their consent to run personalized ads on the app.

TikTok also announced it would pause a controversial privacy policy update in Europe which was due to launch last week. Kim Albarella will temporarily replace Cloutier as the interim head of global security.

The current head of global security, Roland Cloutier, is stepping down effective September 2. Hot on the heels of the FCC Commissioner asking platforms to remove TikTok, the company announced a major security-related position shift.

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