Latest news with #SimthandeMyeza
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
TikTok under renewed EU scrutiny as Irish watchdog probes data transfer to China
TikTok's admission that it stored European user data on Chinese servers has sparked a new investigation by Ireland's Data Protection Commission. An Irish regulator helping police European Union data privacy said Thursday it had launched an investigation into TikTok over the transfer of European users' personal data to servers in China. TikTok was fined 530 million euros ($620 million) in May by the Data Protection Commission over sending personal data to China, though the Chinese social media giant had insisted this data was only accessed remotely. 'Deep concern' The DPC on Thursday said it had been informed by TikTok in April that 'limited EEA user data had in fact been stored on servers in China,' then deleted, contrary to evidence previously presented by the company. The watchdog said it had expressed 'deep concern' in its previous investigation that 'TikTok had submitted inaccurate information'. TikTok plans to appeal the May fine — the second largest ever imposed by the DPC. The social media giant has been in the crosshairs of Western governments for years over fears personal data could be used by China for espionage or propaganda purposes. But TikTok has insisted that it has never received any requests from Chinese authorities for European users' data. ALSO READ: WATCH: TikTok ASMR trend heads to the massage studio in SA Big tech TikTok, which has 1.5 billion users worldwide, is a division of Chinese tech giant ByteDance. But since it has its European headquarters in Ireland, the Irish authority is the lead regulator in Europe for the social platform — as well as others such as Google, Meta and Apple. The DPC is tasked with ensuring companies comply with the EU's strict General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), launched in 2018 to protect European consumers from personal data breaches. Its latest probe against the Chinese-owned giant will determine 'whether TikTok has complied with its relevant obligations' to comply with the GDPR. The data protection watchdog has imposed a number of massive fines against tech companies as the EU seeks to rein in big tech firms over privacy, competition, disinformation and taxation. TikTok data For years, TikTok promoted its data protection policies. It made much of what it called Project Clover, a plan to invest 12 billion euros (currently $14 billion) in European data security over 10 years, from 2023 onwards. ALSO READ: Bolt pokes holes in TikToker Simthande Myeza's abduction claims It claimed that Europeans' data was by default stored in Norway, Ireland, and the United States and 'that employees in China have no access to restricted data,' such as phone numbers or IP addresses. TikTok told AFP in May that it had 'promptly' informed the DPC of a technical issue regarding data transfers. Looming US ban The social media giant is also under pressure in the United States where it faces a looming ban if it does not find a non-Chinese buyer. US President Donald Trump said at the end of June that a group of buyers had been found for TikTok, adding that he could name the purchasers in a matter of weeks. NOW READ: TikTok ban deadline looms as US seeks non-Chinese owner
The South African
27-06-2025
- The South African
Bolt data challenges YouTuber's kidnapping allegations
Bolt says it has yet to decide whether it will pursue legal action following the alleged kidnapping of YouTuber Simthande Myeza. The e-hailing company has completed an internal investigation and, based on its platform data, maintains that the incident did not occur during a Bolt trip. Senior General Manager of Bolt South Africa, Lerato Motsoeneng, says the platform takes all safety allegations extremely seriously. 'Based on the available data, we can confirm that the incident described did not occur during a Bolt trip. We also have strong reasons to believe that the drivers who took trips from locations relevant to the incident had nothing to do with the incident,' said Motsoeneng. In a statement released by the platform, Motsoeneng said riders and drivers have no prior knowledge of each other before a match occurs on the app. 'The trip was completed by a driver-partner, and the drop-off point was recorded approximately 114 metres from the originally requested location. This falls within the expected margin of GPS accuracy. We can confirm that the rider and driver were alone in the vehicle,' Motsoeneng said. The platform also suggests that no trip activity was recorded when the alleged incident occurred. Motsoeneng added that Bolt's systems maintain secure and tamper-proof records, which include time stamps and geolocation details. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said Umbilo police are investigating a case of kidnapping. He said the incident occurred on Tuesday, 17 June. 'It is reported that the victim requested services of an e-hailing vehicle. However, the driver drove towards a different direction. Along the way, two other men got into the vehicle, and the three men took the victim to a house. He was reportedly made to withdraw an undisclosed amount of money and was also forced to solicit money from family and friends,' added Netshiunda. Bolt says its findings have been shared with the relevant authorities. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
IOL News
26-06-2025
- IOL News
E-hailing platform rejects claims that Simthande Myeza was using its platform during abduction in Durban
Simthande Myeza, a digital creator from Durban who alleged he was abducted while using Bolt. Image: Instagram In a strong rebuttal to claims that popular Durban influencer Simthande Myeza was abducted while using their platform, Bolt has issued a statement defending its reputation amidst growing public concern over safety in the e-hailing industry. The statement comes on the heels of a distressing incident reported by Myeza's family, who allege that he was kidnapped on the night of June 17 in the Umbilo area of Durban. "Based on the available data, we can confirm that the incident described did not occur during a Bolt trip," asserted Lerato Motsoeneng, Senior General Manager of Bolt South Africa. "We also have strong reasons to believe that the drivers who took trips from locations relevant to the incident had nothing to do with it." Bolt's response came amid a surge of public unease regarding the safety protocols employed by e-hailing services. Following the reported incident, the platform launched an internal investigation to identify any possible connections between its services and the alleged abduction. Motsoeneng explained that, according to Bolt's verified trip data, Myeza requested a ride at 3pm on the day of the incident. The company emphasised that its algorithm matches riders and drivers in real time without any prior knowledge of the rider's identity. The ride was completed, and the drop-off point was approximately 114 metres from Myeza's originally requested location, a variance that is considered acceptable due to GPS accuracy. Furthermore, the records indicate that Myeza did not engage in any Bolt trip activity later that evening, despite his claims of being taken at around 8pm. Instead, a different driver, unrelated to the initial trip, was matched to a return journey ordered from a separate account, reinforcing Bolt's assertion that the incident was not associated with their platform. 'We have officially shared all our findings with the relevant authorities and are committed to fully cooperating with them,' Motsoeneng continued. 'Our safety and operations teams continue to support law enforcement by providing all relevant trip data, maintaining secure and tamper-proof records.' Moreover, Bolt stated that should the investigation reveal any slanderous claims against the company, it would contemplate legal action. In light of the situation, Bolt has been in contact with Myeza to facilitate further inquiries, aiming to address any lingering concerns surrounding the safety of their service. As the investigation progresses, Bolt remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring user safety, asserting that the well-being of its community is paramount. The platform has reiterated its ongoing engagement with law enforcement in a bid to uphold the trust placed in it by its users.
The Citizen
26-06-2025
- The Citizen
Bolt pokes holes in TikToker Simthande Myeza's abduction claims
Bolt says its records do not support the version of events shared by Myeza's family. E-hailing service Bolt has dismissed claims that TikToker Simthande Myeza was abducted during one of its trips, citing findings from its internal investigation. Myeza's family recently released a statement, alleging he was abducted during his Bolt ride on Tuesday, 17 June, in the Umbilo area in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Family spokesperson Lomsongaka Myeza said Simthande became suspicious when the driver took an unexpected route, prompting him to ask the driver to make a U-turn. 'That's when the driver became agitated and eventually stopped the car. Two other African males approached the vehicle, and one of them pointed a gun at Simthande. The other blindfolded him, tied his hands, and drove with him to an unknown location,' the family's statement read. READ MORE: Simthande Myeza 'abducted and robbed' during e-hailing trip: TikToker's family speaks Bolt: 'The incident described did not occur during a Bolt trip' In a statement released on Wednesday, Bolt South Africa's Senior General Manager, Lerato Motsoeneng, said their records do not support the version of events shared by Myeza. 'Following the 17 June incident reported on social media, we launched a thorough internal investigation. Based on the available data, we can confirm that the incident described did not occur during a Bolt trip,' Motsoeneng said. According to the statement, Myeza requested a ride at 15:03 on 17 June. The trip was completed by a verified driver, with the drop-off location within 114 metres of the intended destination — a margin Bolt says falls within normal GPS accuracy. 'We can confirm that the rider and driver were alone in the vehicle. We subsequently checked the driver's details and found out that he has been driving using the Bolt app since December 2024. 'Mr Myeza said in a media statement that the incident took place at around 20:00 the same evening. Our records do not show any Bolt trip activity associated with him during that time.' Motsoeneng added that the alleged return trip mentioned on social media was also investigated. 'This second trip involved a different driver, ordered from a separate rider account. The driver was matched using our standard algorithm, which means he could not have known in advance who the passenger would be.' Bolt said it has shared its findings with relevant authorities and will continue to assist law enforcement. 'Based on the outcome of the official investigation, we will decide whether to pursue legal action against any claims found to be defamatory towards Bolt.' Efforts to reach Myeza for comment were unsuccessful. The Citizen has sent queries to the KwaZulu-Natal police for an update on the case and will update the story once a response is received. NOW READ: 'If I were Orlando Pirates coach, I'd let it loose,' says Pirates coach lookalike, actor Mbulelo Grootboom
The Citizen
23-06-2025
- The Citizen
Bolt SA responds after TikToker's alleged abduction
The content creator was allegedly abducted and robbed during a Bolt ride in Durban. Bolt South Africa says it is taking the case of TikTok content creator Simthande Myeza seriously after he was allegedly abducted and robbed during a ride in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. According to a statement from Myeza's family, he was abducted last Tuesday in the Umbilo area in Durban and released in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The family said Myeza became suspicious when the driver took a different route, and he then asked the driver to make a U-turn. 'That's when the driver became agitated and eventually stopped the car. Two other African males approached the vehicle, and one of them pointed a gun at Simthande. The other blindfolded him, tied his hands and drove with him to an unknown location,' the statement read. READ MORE: Simthande Myeza 'abducted and robbed' during e-hailing trip: TikToker's family speaks Bolt says rider safety is a top priority Bolt South Africa's Senior General Manager, Lerato Motsoeneng, said the company is aware of the incident and has reached out to Myeza. 'We are aware of the incident currently being shared online involving a rider, Simthande Myeza, who reportedly experienced a deeply disturbing situation while using our platform. 'We want to express our sincere concern and sympathy. We're committed to handling this matter with the utmost seriousness and will fully support the relevant authorities in addressing it,' Motsoeneng said. Motsoeneng added that Bolt is still in the process of verifying the trip information and will engage with all parties to ensure the matter is thoroughly addressed. 'The safety of our community is our highest priority. We remain deeply committed to doing everything we can to ensure that every ride on Bolt is a safe and trusted experience. 'We will continue to work closely with the relevant law enforcement authorities and act decisively as soon as we have the information needed to do so.' NOW READ: Gayton McKenzie says he's 'gonna fight very hard' for at least one Bok game to be broadcast to everyone
