Does TikTok enough protect young users? The European Commission launches an investigation
February 19, 2024: The Chinese social network TikTok is once again in the crosshairs of the European Union. The platform's lack of vigilance regarding the protection of minors online is at the center of the investigation launched by the European Commission.
This investigation aims to determine whether the Chinese platform, with 134 million monthly users within the EU:
- sufficiently protects minors from problematic content,
- adjusts its distribution algorithm accordingly,
- implements reasonable, proportionate, and effective verification tools.
Another aspect of the investigation:
The investigation concerns alleged failures to grant researchers access to TikTok's data when it is publicly accessible, as required by Article 40 of the Digital Services Act.
Press release from the European Commission
Among the accusations against TikTok: the dissemination of inappropriate content that could harm the sensitivity of minors. Not to mention the power of the recommendation and personalization algorithms governing the platform. These tools could gradually trap users in a spiral of negative, even dangerous, content. These algorithms, which also encourage addictive behavior, can impact the mental health of the younger audience.
The safety and well-being of online users in Europe are crucial. TikTok must examine the services it offers and carefully assess the risks they pose to users, both young and old.
Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age
Another question at the heart of the investigation: Does the Chinese platform ensure a sufficiently high level of privacy, safety, and digital security? What about the protection of users' data? These are all questions that the investigation must answer in light of the key principles of the DSA (Digital Services Act), a European regulation on digital services that came into force on February 17, 2024.
In case of violation of the DSA, platforms face heavy fines: up to 6% of their annual global revenue. These sanctions aim to ensure better protection for users (especially minors). Serious and repeated violations could even lead to a total ban on the platform's operations in Europe.
References:
[Cover photo: montage created from a photo by Solen Feyissa]
Support us by sharing the article:
