European Union investigates TikTok and YouTube – 11/09/2023 – Tech

The European Union announced this Thursday (9) that it has opened an investigation into the measures adopted by the social network TikTok and the video sharing site YouTube to protect minors, especially their “mental and physical health”.

The European Commission said it has asked companies “to provide further information about the measures they have taken to fulfill their obligations to protect minors” under the new EU digital services legislation (DSA), which came into force at the end of August.

These requests do not constitute, for now, a warning. It is a first step in procedures that can culminate in serious financial sanctions, in the case of proven and prolonged violations of regulations. In extreme cases, fines can reach 6% of the total global business of the groups involved.

“TikTok and YouTube must provide the requested information to the commission by November 30, 2023. Based on the evaluation of the responses, the commission will determine the next steps,” the European Union said.

Thursday’s announcement is part of a change of direction led by the European Digital Commissioner, Thierry Breton, to force large platforms to comply with the new obligations imposed on them.

“The protection of children will be a priority” in the implementation of the DSA, warned the commissioner when the regulation was launched in August.

In addition to these measures against TikTok and YouTube, the European Union had already announced investigations against TikTok, X (former Twitter) and Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram) regarding the measures adopted against the dissemination of “false information”, images and violent speeches, following the Hamas attacks against Israel in October.