EU Launches Probe of TikTok Over Child Protection Concerns
European Union Opens Formal Probe into TikTok Over Allegations of Online Content Violations, Including Concerns Over Minors' Protection and Transparent Advertising Practices
European Union has initiated an investigation into whether TikTok, owned by ByteDance, has violated regulations concerning online content, particularly those aimed at safeguarding minors and ensuring transparent advertising practices. This move, announced by EU industry chief Thierry Breton on Monday, follows a review of TikTok’s risk assessment report and its responses to information requests.
Breton highlighted concerns regarding TikTok’s design elements contributing to addictive behavior, lack of adequate screen time limits, potential for leading users into endless browsing (“rabbit hole effect”), shortcomings in age verification, and default privacy settings.
The investigation falls under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which came into effect on February 17 and imposes stricter obligations on large online platforms and search engines to combat illegal online content and protect public security.
If found guilty of breaching DSA regulations, ByteDance could face fines of up to 6% of its global turnover.
In response, TikTok emphasized its commitment to collaborating with experts and the industry to ensure the safety of young users on its platform. The company expressed readiness to provide detailed explanations of its efforts to the European Commission.
A TikTok spokesperson underscored the platform’s proactive measures to protect teenagers and prevent underage users from accessing the platform, addressing challenges that the entire industry is grappling with.
European Union has initiated an investigation into whether TikTok, owned by ByteDance, has violated regulations concerning online content, particularly those aimed at safeguarding minors and ensuring transparent advertising practices. This move, announced by EU industry chief Thierry Breton on Monday, follows a review of TikTok’s risk assessment report and its responses to information requests.
Breton highlighted concerns regarding TikTok’s design elements contributing to addictive behavior, lack of adequate screen time limits, potential for leading users into endless browsing (“rabbit hole effect”), shortcomings in age verification, and default privacy settings.
The investigation falls under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which came into effect on February 17 and imposes stricter obligations on large online platforms and search engines to combat illegal online content and protect public security.
If found guilty of breaching DSA regulations, ByteDance could face fines of up to 6% of its global turnover.
In response, TikTok emphasized its commitment to collaborating with experts and the industry to ensure the safety of young users on its platform. The company expressed readiness to provide detailed explanations of its efforts to the European Commission.
A TikTok spokesperson underscored the platform’s proactive measures to protect teenagers and prevent underage users from accessing the platform, addressing challenges that the entire industry is grappling with.
