The European Union has initiated an investigation to assess whether TikTok adequately safeguards minors.
On Monday, the EU announced an inquiry into whether TikTok has violated the bloc’s stringent new digital regulations. The Digital Services Act (DSA) encompasses a wide range of measures aimed at safeguarding online users. These include making it easier to report harmful or illegal content such as hate speech, offering users alternatives to algorithm-based recommendations, and banning advertisements targeted at children.
The commission is looking into whether TikTok is doing enough to reduce the risks built into its design, like algorithms that might encourage addictive behavior. They’re also questioning if tools to verify age and block inappropriate content for minors are effective enough.
“The protection of minors is a top enforcement priority for the DSA. As a platform that reaches millions of children and teenagers. TikTok must fully comply with the DSA and has a particular role to play in the protection of minors online,” said Thierry Breton, the EU’s internal market commissioner. “We are launching this formal infringement proceeding today to ensure that proportionate action is taken to protect the physical and emotional well-being of young Europeans.”
Additionally, the EU is examining TikTok’s privacy safeguards for minors and whether it provides researchers with access to data. The EU has identified nearly two dozen major social media platforms, including TikTok, as warranting the highest level of scrutiny under the DSA. Furthermore, the bloc is already investigating Elon Musk’s social media platform for various breaches, including its failure to curb the dissemination of illegal content.
