EU Eyes TikTok for Potential Breach of New Digital Services Act Amidst Concerns Over Minor Protection

ByteDance Ltd., the parent company of TikTok, finds itself on the brink of an in-depth investigation by the European Union over its content moderation policies, particularly concerning the protection of minors. This probe, anticipated to launch in the coming weeks under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), aims to assess whether TikTok’s recent adjustments meet the stringent requirements designed to shield underage users from harm. The DSA, marking a significant shift in how tech platforms are regulated, empowers EU authorities to impose fines up to 6% of annual sales on companies that fail to comply with its rules, with the severe penalty of potentially banning repeat offenders from the EU market.

The EU’s move comes as part of a broader effort to ensure major tech companies, including X (formerly Twitter), Meta Platforms Inc., and Alphabet Inc., adhere to the new regulations that mandate rigorous content moderation to protect users, especially minors. TikTok’s scrutiny under the DSA follows a formal investigation into Elon Musk’s X for how it manages illegal content and disinformation. With TikTok and other platforms having over 45 million monthly active users in Europe, they fall under the category requiring detailed oversight by the EU, which has also extended its inquiry to include three pornography websites.

TikTok, while maintaining regular dialogue with the commission, has not yet been formally notified of the investigation but has faced multiple requests for information on its child protection measures. These inquiries delve into the platform’s strategies for mitigating risks to the mental and physical health of its younger audience. As the EU continues to gather information from designated firms, further investigations, including into platforms like Instagram, are expected, spotlighting the stringent regulatory landscape tech companies now navigate in Europe.