Reuters reports that the European Union will be conducting an investigation into whether TikTok violated online content regulations. The social media platform, owned by ByteDance, may have failed to protect children and ensure transparent advertising, and could face a fine of up to 6% of its global turnover.
The decision to investigate was made by Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for Internal Market, after reviewing the short video app’s risk assessment report and its responses to requests for information.
Today we open an investigation into #TikTok over suspected breach of transparency & obligations to protect minors:
📱Addictive design & screen time limits
🕳️ Rabbit hole effect
🔞 Age verification
🔐 Default privacy settings
Enforcing #DSA for safer Internet for youngsters pic.twitter.com/4d2F0FQUHw
— Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) February 19, 2024
TikTok is obligated to comply with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which became effective on February 17. The act mandates that large online platforms and search engines take additional measures to address illegal online content and public security risks.
In response to these developments, a TikTok spokesperson stated that the company has been at the forefront of implementing features and settings to safeguard teenagers and prevent children under the age of 13 from accessing the platform, issues that the entire industry is grappling with.
The investigation by the European Commission, the body responsible for proposing new EU laws and overseeing their implementation, will scrutinize the design of TikTok’s system, including the algorithmic systems that may encourage behavioral addictions and create what are commonly referred to as “rabbit hole effects.”
