La European Commission initiated a formal procedure to evaluate whether TikTok may have violated the Digital Services Act in areas related to protection of minors. Furthermore, other areas also ended up under the lens of Brussels: the transparency of advertising, access to data for i researchers, as well as the risk management of design which creates addiction and harmful content, we read in a note.
Both on the basis of the preliminary investigation that has been conducted so far, and on the basis of the analysis of the risk assessment report that was sent by TikTok last September, as well as on the basis of TikTok's responses to the Commission's formal requests for information (on illegal content, protection of minors and access to data), the Commission he therefore decided to start a formal procedure against TikTok under the DSA and will now carry out athorough investigation as a matter of priority.
TikTok, Breton: “Apply the online law”
“Today we are opening an investigation into TikTok for suspected violation transparency and protection obligations minor“, said the European commissioner for the internal market Thierry breton on default privacy settings."
TikTok, risks on behavioral addictions
In detail, the Commission's work will focus on compliance with obligations relating to the assessment and mitigation of systemic risks, in terms of actual or foreseeable negative effects arising from the design of the TikTok system, including algorithmic systems, which could stimulate behavioral addictions (the executive speaks of “rabbit hole effects”, as Breton anticipated). This evaluation is necessary to counteract the risks potential for the exercise of the fundamental right to physical and mental well-being of the person, respect for the rights of the minor, as well as its impact on radicalization processes.
TikTok, the beacon of the EU
They will come then evaluated le measures of mitigation implemented, especially the tools of age verification used by TikTok to prevent minors from accessing inappropriate content. Compliance with the obligations of the Digital Services Act which aim to implement adequate and proportionate measures to ensure a high level of privacy, safety and protection for minors. The EU's focus will also end on compliance with the obligations to provide a searchable archive and reliable for advertisements presented on TikTok and the measures adopted by the Chinese platform to increase its transparency. The investigation concerns alleged shortcomings in providing researchers access to TikTok's publicly available data.
TikTok: “Innovative features introduced. We will continue to collaborate"
“TikTok introduced functions and settings innovative measures to protect teenagers and prevent children under 13 from accessing the platform, an issue that the entire sector is addressing: we will continue to collaborate with experts and industry players to ensure the safety of young people on TikTok and we are pleased to now have the opportunity to explain this work in detail to the Commission,” said a spokesperson for TikTok.
