EU Investigates TikTok for Breach of Online Content Rules

The European Union has initiated an investigation into ByteDance’s TikTok, focusing on potential breaches of online content regulations aimed at safeguarding children and ensuring transparent advertising practices. EU industry chief Thierry Breton announced the probe on Monday, citing concerns regarding TikTok’s compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA) which came into effect on February 17.

Breton’s decision to launch the investigation follows a thorough analysis of TikTok’s risk assessment report and its responses to requests for information, as reported by Reuters. “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,” Breton stated.

Under the DSA, large online platforms like TikTok are obligated to take more stringent measures to combat illegal content and uphold public security standards. If found guilty of violating DSA regulations, ByteDance could face fines amounting to up to 6% of its global turnover.

Read more: TikTok Updates Data Usage Regulations To Fit EU Laws

Responding to the investigation, TikTok reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with experts and industry stakeholders to ensure the safety of young users on its platform. A TikTok spokesperson emphasized the platform’s efforts to pioneer features and settings aimed at protecting teenagers and preventing users under the age of 13 from accessing the platform.

The investigation will scrutinize various aspects of TikTok’s system design, particularly focusing on algorithmic features that could potentially contribute to behavioral addictions or the so-called ‘rabbit hole effects.’ Additionally, the European Commission will assess whether TikTok has implemented adequate measures to guarantee a high level of privacy, safety, and security for minors, reported Reuters.

In addition to child protection concerns, the European Commission aims to evaluate the transparency of advertising practices on TikTok. The Commission seeks to determine whether TikTok provides a reliable database on advertisements, enabling researchers to analyze potential online risks effectively.

Source: Reuters