The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into whether social media platform TikTok is doing enough to protect children. The investigation was initiated under the European Commission’s Digital Services Act (DSA). News Reuters and ITV.
According to a document seen by Reuters, ‘DSA’s greatest emphasis is on the protection of minors. As a platform that reaches millions of children and teenagers, TikTok must fully comply with the DSA and play a special role in protecting them online, said EU Commissioner Thierry Breton.’
EU Commissioner Thierry Breton wrote in a post on X, ‘Today we launched an investigation based on suspected violations of TikTok’s transparency and obligations to protect minors. TikTok’s addictive design and screen time limits, effects, age verification, default privacy settings will be investigated.’
The European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) was launched on February 17 for all online platforms. In particular, very large online platforms and search engines are also told to do more to combat illegal online content and security risks.
The European Commission says the investigation will focus on the design of TikTok’s system, including algorithmic systems, to address issues that may cause behavioral addictions. It will also investigate whether TikTok has taken appropriate measures to ensure privacy, safety and security for minors. In addition to the issue of protecting minors, the commission is looking into whether TikTok provides a reliable database of ads on its platform so that researchers can verify potential online risks.
Meanwhile, TikTok said it will continue to work with experts and industry to keep young people safe. And in this regard, TikTok is waiting to explain this work in detail to the European Commission.
A TikTok spokesperson said, ‘TikTok is working on changes to features settings to protect teenagers and keep people under 13 off the platform.’
TikTok is the second DSA investigation after Elon Musk’s social media platform X. According to the report, TikTok could face a fine of up to 6 percent of its global turnover if found guilty of violating DSA rules.