On TikTok, minors can set their accounts to public, allowing anyone to view them. Even when children choose private settings, their accounts remain easy to find, and their profile photos stay visible to everyone. This leaves minors vulnerable to unwanted contact, cyberbullying, or sexual abuse, the European Commission concludes.
According to the EU’s executive body, the company is once again violating the Digital Services Act (DSA). Content posted by 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds can also appear on the For You page, where recommended videos are shown. The Commission states that content from minors may not be displayed there, even if they are somewhat older.
Lifelong Consequences
Under DSA rules, social media platforms must guarantee the privacy and safety of minors. The Commission argues that TikTok instead makes children’s accounts and content widely accessible. This could have “lifelong consequences”, it warns. “What minors post can remain online forever and continue to haunt them as adults”.
Recurrent
This is the third time Brussels has concluded that TikTok is violating the DSA. In February, the platform was found to be non‑compliant due to addictive features. In October, the Commission determined that TikTok was breaking digital rules by failing to make data easily accessible to researchers.
Penalty
No fines have been imposed yet, as TikTok can still file objections. For each violation, the Commission can issue a penalty of up to 6 percent of the company’s annual global revenue. Brussels previously fined social media company X 120 million euros for DSA violations, including misleading users about blue checkmarks meant to verify real accounts.
@anp | NEWSBRAINPORT
