The European Union (EU) will investigate if ByteDance’s TikTok has violated online content rules designed to protect children and ensure transparent advertising, EU Industry Chief Thierry Breton announced on Monday, according to Reuters. This investigation could potentially lead to a significant fine for the social media platform.
Breton made this decision after reviewing TikTok’s risk assessment report and its responses to information requests.
The Digital Services Act (DSA) of the European Union, effective on all online platforms since February 17, specifically mandates that large online platforms and search engines intensify their efforts to combat illegal online content and threats to public safety.
ByteDance, the China-based owner of TikTok, might incur fines amounting to 6 per cent of its worldwide revenue if found in violation of DSA regulations.
TikTok expressed its commitment to collaborate with industry experts to ensure the safety of young users on its platform and anticipates detailing these efforts to the European Commission.
The European Commission said that its investigation would scrutinise TikTok’s system design, including algorithmic systems that might induce behavioural addictions or create rabbit hole effects.
The probe will also examine if TikTok has implemented suitable measures to maintain high levels of privacy, safety, and security for minors.
In addition to minor protection, the Commission will investigate if TikTok offers a dependable advertisement database on its platform for researchers to analyse potential online risks.
This investigation is the second under the DSA, following the scrutiny of Elon Musk’s social media platform X in December last year.
