The European Commission sent TikTok preliminary findings, concluding that the platform breached the Digital Services Act (DSA) for failing to ensure safe accounts for minors.
According to the Commission, TikTok is charged with violating EU tech rules on online safety for children, specifically by not shielding the privacy of children's accounts from adults.
The Commission suggested that TikTok should adjust the default settings of minors' public accounts to enhance protection.
The preliminary findings mark a milestone in the EU's enforcement of the DSA.
Updates
The European Commission has specifically cautioned that TikTok's safety measures regarding the protection of minors must be mandatory rather than provided as an opt-in feature.
The European Commission has further specified that TikTok's safety measures for minors must be mandatory rather than opt-in. Additionally, the European Union is reportedly preparing new regulations expected later this year that would prohibit children under the age of 13 from using social media platforms.
The European Commission has further specified that TikTok's protective measures for minors must be default settings rather than opt-in features. Additionally, the European Union has announced plans to implement a total ban on social media access for children under 13, with regulations expected to be introduced later this year.
The European Commission's investigation into TikTok's compliance with the Digital Services Act formally began on February 19, 2024, following the platform's designation as a very large online platform. While TikTok has committed to working constructively with regulators, the probe specifically addresses concerns that minors may bypass age restrictions and encounter inappropriate content. Additionally, the inquiry into the platform's 'addictive design' features, such as autoplay and infinite scrolling, remains ongoing alongside this latest child safety assessment.
