EU Initiates Probe to Determine Safety of TikTok for Minors

The European Union is investigating whether TikTok may have violated EU laws regarding the protection of minors, advertising transparency, and data sharing.

The European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, announced on Monday that it has initiated formal investigative proceedings to determine whether TikTok has breached the EU’s 2022 Digital Services Act (DSA).

According to the commission, the investigation will focus on four specific areas: whether TikTok’s algorithms encourage addiction and “rabbit hole effects,” whether TikTok ensures the privacy and safety of minors using the platform, DSA requirements for a searchable repository of advertisements, and whether TikTok has provided researchers with sufficient data about the platform.

If TikTok is found to be in breach, it could face fines of up to six percent of its global revenue. A TikTok spokesperson stated that the company is committed to working with experts and the industry to ensure the safety of young people using the platform.

The investigation into TikTok marks the second time the European Commission has initiated an investigation into a leading online platform for potential DSA violations. In December 2023, the commission opened a formal investigation against X, previously known as Twitter, over the platform’s handling of content related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Illegal online content under EU laws can include hate speech, incitement to violence, and content that incites terrorism. The European Commission did not specify the exact nature of the illegal content that appeared on X after the Hamas attacks, but it is known that images of the attacks were shared on the platform.

Representatives for TikTok and X both appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 31 to testify to U.S. lawmakers about the efforts their platforms were taking to protect online users and children.

Reuters contributed to this report.