EU says TikTok failed to protect minors' privacy, violating digital rules
The European Commission on Friday said it has found that TikTok did not adequately protect children's privacy rights on its platform. The Commission determined that the social media platform allowed adults to view the accounts of minors, exposing children to risks such as cyberbullying, unwanted contact, and predatory behaviour.
The finding is part of an investigation under the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), a landmark regulation aimed at holding large online platforms accountable for user safety. TikTok now has the opportunity to respond to the Commission's preliminary findings and defend itself. If the Commission is not satisfied with TikTok's response, it could issue a formal non-compliance decision and impose fines of up to 6% of the company's total annual revenue.
This action follows a series of crackdowns on big technology companies by the European Union, which has emerged as a global leader in regulating tech giants. Earlier this year, in February, the EU found that TikTok had breached another aspect of its digital rulebook by employing an 'addictive design'—including features such as autoplay and infinite scrolling—that could harm the physical and mental health of users, especially minors.
The Commission's investigation underscores the EU's commitment to enforcing its digital laws and protecting vulnerable users, particularly children, in the online space. TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has faced increasing scrutiny from regulators worldwide over its data practices and impact on young users.
