China denies accessing data after TikTok hit with huge EU fine

China on Saturday denied it required companies to hand over data after TikTok was hit with a massive fine in the European Union for its handling of personal data.

The social media giant was told to pay 530 million euros ($600 million) on Friday for transferring user data from Europe to China and failing to guarantee it was shielded from access by Chinese authorities.

Friday's fine was the second-largest ever imposed by the European Union, following an investigation into the lawfulness of data transfers by TikTok.

Chinese-owned TikTok said it would appeal the decision.

China's foreign ministry on Saturday said the country "has never and will never require enterprises or individuals to collect or store data by illegal means."

It also called on the European Union and Ireland, home to TikTok's European headquarters, to "provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for enterprises of all countries ...