The EU investigates TikTok for child protection

The European Union has initiated a formal inquiry into TikTok to ascertain if the company is adequately safeguarding minors on its platform and to investigate other suspected breaches of the bloc’s significant Digital Services Act.

“The opening of proceedings means that the (European) Commission will investigate TikTok’s functionalities, systems and policies related to certain suspected infringements. It does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation,” a spokesperson for the bloc’s executive arm said in a statement Monday.

The commission will evaluate whether the firm, owned by China’s ByteDance, is meeting the requirements set for major social media platforms to reduce the risk of users developing addiction to their content and to protect the privacy and safety of minors.

According to a press release issued by the European Commission on Monday, TikTok's age verification mechanisms, designed to prevent children from accessing inappropriate content, might not meet the criteria of being reasonable, proportionate, and effective.

Furthermore, the inquiry will examine whether TikTok has been transparent about advertisements on its platform and has provided adequate access to its data for researchers.

Companies found to be in violation of the regulations can face fines amounting to up to 6% of their annual global revenue.