European Commission concerns also include TikTok’s age verification tool (representative)
The European Union announced on Monday a formal investigation into TikTok’s alleged breach of its obligations to protect minors online under a landmark new digital content regulation law.
This is the second investigation into a major online platform since Brussels launched the Digital Services Act (DSA), following a probe into tech billionaire Elon Musk’s X in December.
Brussels is particularly concerned that the video-sharing app, owned by China’s ByteDance, may not be doing enough to address negative impacts on young people.
A major concern is the so-called “rabbit hole” effect – which occurs when users are served relevant algorithmically based content, in some cases leading to more dangerous content.
The European Commission’s concerns also include TikTok’s age verification tool, saying it “may be unreasonable, disproportionate and effective”.
The committee launched “formal proceedings to assess whether TikTok may have breached the DSA in other areas, including “advertising transparency” and “data access for researchers.”
The action follows an analysis of TikTok’s risk assessment report and its response to Brussels’ request for more information about the measures the video-sharing platform has taken against illegal content, protection of minors and data access.
‘spare no effort’
The regulator will continue to collect evidence, the commission said, adding that the move gives it the power to take further enforcement measures if necessary.
EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton said: “As a platform that reaches millions of children and young people, TikTok must fully comply with the DSA and play a special role in protecting minors online.”
Breton added: “We are launching this formal infringement action today to ensure that appropriate action is taken to protect the physical and mental health of Europe’s young people. We must leave no stone unturned to protect our children.”
TikTok has more than 142 million monthly users in the EU, up from 125 million last year.
Margrethe Vestager, the commission’s executive vice-president, said: “TikTok needs to take a closer look at the services they offer and carefully consider the risks they pose to users – young and old. “
The formal investigation will focus on four areas: how TikTok assesses and mitigates systemic risks; how the company complies with regulations to protect the privacy and safety of minors; the steps TikTok takes to provide a “reliable” ad library and the steps it takes to increase transparency measure.
TikTok says it is working to protect minors online.
“TikTok has pioneered features and settings that protect youth and prevent children under 13 from using the platform, which is an issue the entire industry is working to address,” a TikTok spokesperson said.
“We will continue to work with experts and industry to keep young people safe on TikTok and look forward to the opportunity now to explain this work in detail to the committee.”
Risk of fines
There is no deadline for the completion of proceedings.
The DSA gives Brussels the power to levy hefty fines, which could include fines of up to 6% of a digital company’s global revenue for non-compliance.
The commission can even block platforms from the 27-nation bloc for serious and repeated violations.
The EU law came into effect last year for the world’s largest online platforms, including TikTok and X as well as Facebook and Instagram.
The new rules require companies to do more to regulate online content, but also expect digital retailers to act quickly and effectively to protect online shoppers.
The DSA law applies to all platforms from February 17.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
