The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into whether social media app TikTok breaches new rules aimed at protecting minors online. announced on Monday.
The investigation examines whether TikTok, which is owned by China-based parent company ByteDance, violated the EU’s new online child protection rules, the Digital Services Act (DSA), which came into force on Saturday, with its platform design and privacy settings. Will be investigated.
If the Commission finds a violation of the DSA, it can impose fines of up to 6% of a company’s global revenue.
The commission said the formal process, which began on Monday, followed a preliminary investigation conducted in September.
The lawsuit will focus on TikTok’s algorithmic systems, including systems that “have the potential to stimulate behavioral addiction or create the so-called ‘rabbit hole effect,'” according to the announcement.
The investigation will examine whether TikTok takes appropriate steps to “ensure high levels of privacy, safety and security for minors” and the DSA’s requirement that the platform provide a searchable repository of ads. Compliance with obligations will also be investigated.
in Statement to ReutersTikTok said it will continue to work with experts and industry to keep young people safe on its platform and will seek to detail its efforts to the committee.
“TikTok has pioneered features and settings to protect teens and keep those under 13 off the platform. This is an issue our entire industry is grappling with,” a TikTok spokesperson told Reuters told.
The Hill has reached out to TikTok for further comment.
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