TikTok is reportedly facing a European probe in the coming weeks, as well as the possibility of large fines, after regulators have assessed if the company has done enough to protect children from disturbing videos.
EU regulators will be investigating whether TikTok complies with the Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires large tech companies to moderate content, protect user privacy, and address public risks.
The European Commission will investigate whether the changes TikTok has made to comply with the policies are sufficient.
Under the DSA, fines can reach as much as 6% of the company’s annual revenue if they are found to have broken the rules. Additionally, they can be banned from Europe entirely after multiple violations.
Currently, TikTok hasn’t been notified about the investigation by the European Commission. It claimed to be in regular contact with EU regulators.
Talks are said to be ongoing between the two sides, and officials in the EU could choose not to open a formal probe.
The formal investigation would mark another regulatory issue for TikTok, having previously faced scrutiny from US lawmakers after failing to set rules regarding troubling content, which has allegedly fuelled a wave of anxiety and depression.
UK researchers conducted a study recently, which found TikTok’s algorithm was helping “hateful ideologies and misogynistic tropes” to become “normalized” in schools.
This was because it was pushing negative videos about women.
TikTok CEO, Shou Chew has had to defend himself and the company twice after the app failed to shield minors from online child sex abuse.
The allegations have been denied, and TikTok claims it’s committed to providing safety to all users.
Chew also faced hard questions from lawmakers over ByteDance and its ties to the Chinese Government.
Last November, Republicans criticised TikTok for allowing “terrorist propaganda” after influencers began promoting Osama bin Laden’s post-9/11 “letter to America.”
Only weeks prior, a call to ban the app from the US was renewed after alleged disproportionate popularity rose over pro-Palestine videos, following the Hamas attack on Israel.
Last December, X (formerly Twitter), was the first to face a formal investigation by the EU over possible violations of the DSA. This was tied to posts about the Hamas attack.
