The European Commission (EC) has announced that it is launching an investigation into whether TikTok actually complies with the rules set out in the Digital Services Act, which guarantees the safety of users.
The main areas of the investigation include topics related to the protection of minors, transparency in advertising, access to data for researchers, as well as mdeanaging the risk of addictive and harmful content.
Giant platforms like TikTok must meet additional requirements in the area of algorithmic transparency and systemic risk. It is precisely these areas of the short video sharing and content creation platform that are currently under investigation by the EU.
While investigating a series of alleged violations, the EC will enhance its requirements for information disclosure by the video-sharing platform.
In a press release, the EU declares that there is no deadline by which the investigation must be concluded. Its duration will depend on various factors, such as “the complexity of the case, the extent to which the company concerned cooperates with the Commission and the exercise of the rights of defence”.
“TikTok has pioneered features and settings to protect teens and keep under 13s off the platform, issues the whole industry is grappling with. We’ll continue to work with experts and industry to keep young people on TikTok safe, and look forward to now having the opportunity to explain this work in detail to the Commission”, said TikTok’s spokesperson in an email to TechCrunch.
The company confirms that it has received a document showing that it is aware of the opening of an investigation by the EU.
The platform also states that it complies with the requirements and sends all the information that is required of it, but has not yet received a response from the EC.
Additionally, TikTok shares that the proposal it made for a meeting between Commission officials and the company’s child protection staff has not yet been accepted.
The EU is concerned about TikTok’s UX, which the EU says encourages content addiction.
“Such assessment is required to counter potential risks for the exercise of the fundamental right to the person’s physical and mental well-being, the respect of the rights of the child as well as its impact on radicalisation processes,” states EC.
The EU will closely monitor whether TikTok complies with the obligations included in the Digital Services Act to introduce measures to provide a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors.
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