India led requests for user information and content takedowns on TikTok, TikTok's first Transparency Report, released on December 30, revealed. The report summarises requests made by governments between January 1 and June 30, 2019. India made 107 requests for user information: India made the highest number of legal requests for user information, of which 8 were emergency requests. These requests were aimed at 143 specified accounts and TikTok complied with 47% of them in some capacity. The United States, Japan, and Pakistan made 79, 35 and 1 requests respectively. While complying with a lawful request, TikTok may provide the law enforcement agencies with the following user information: subscriber information (first and last name, phone number, IP address used upon account creation, etc.), video content, user interactions (live chats, comments and direct messages), and log data (metadata regarding account logins and logouts, user-generated content and in-app communications). Law enforcement officials must provide legal documents (warrants, court orders, etc.) to request information. TikTok clarified that it would "honor a law enforcement request not to notify the user" if the law enforcement agency says that it would jeopardise the investigation. TikTok evaluates emergency requests on a case by case basis. They must be on an official letterhead and signed by a sworn law enforcement official. Indian government also made highest number of content takedown requests: Out of the 11 requests made by the Indian Government that targeted 9 accounts, TikTok removed/restricted 8 of the accounts. USA and Japan made 6 and 3 such…
