The European Union’s formal investigation into TikTok revolves around the platform’s compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA), a comprehensive regulatory framework implemented to ensure internet user safety. The European Commission has initiated formal proceedings to assess whether TikTok has violated the DSA, which encompasses various requirements, such as flagging harmful content, providing alternatives to algorithmic recommendations, and prohibiting ads targeting children.
Particular attention is being given to TikTok’s efforts to mitigate “systemic risks” inherent in its design, with a focus on algorithmic systems that could contribute to “behavioral addictions.” The commission is scrutinizing the effectiveness of measures like age verification tools intended to prevent minors from accessing inappropriate content, assessing whether they are reasonable, proportionate, and effective.
Thierry Breton, the EU’s internal market commissioner, emphasized the protection of minors as a top priority under the DSA. Given TikTok’s extensive reach among children and teenagers, the commission aims to ensure that the platform fully complies with the DSA, highlighting its role in safeguarding minors’ physical and emotional well-being. The formal infringement proceeding is intended to prompt proportionate actions for the protection of young Europeans.
TikTok, in response, highlighted its efforts in pioneering features and settings to protect teenagers and prevent users under 13 from accessing the platform. The company expressed its commitment to collaborating with experts and the industry to ensure the safety of young people on TikTok.
Beyond systemic risks, the commission is also investigating TikTok’s privacy measures for minors, transparency in advertisements, and whether it provides researchers with access to relevant data. The EU has designated nearly two dozen major online and social media platforms, including TikTok, for the highest level of scrutiny under the DSA, signaling potential hefty fines for non-compliance. Concurrently, the EU is already investigating other platforms, such as Elon Musk’s X (formerly known as Twitter), for breaches related to curbing the spread of illegal content.