EU will launch probe into TikTok, YouTube on videos accessible to minors
ALBAWABA – The European Union (EU) is set to launch a probe into TikTok and YouTube for DSA compliance in regards to video content accessible to minors on the platforms, an unnamed source told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Wednesday.
The Digital Services Act (DSA) is a new EU law that requires big online platforms to regulate their content to prevent and remove illegal content and disinformation.
"The services of EU Commissioner Thierry Breton are preparing to launch additional investigations into platforms' compliance with the DSA regarding the protection of minors," the official said.
Breton also oversaw the launch of three probes last month into TikTok, X (Twitter) and Facebook-parent Meta, seeking information on "illegal content and disinformation" relating to the surprise Gaza attack.
Now, in relation to child-protection measures, "information requests are on their way for TikTok and YouTube," the EU official said on conditions of anonymity.
Concerns focus on the measures taken by TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, and YouTube, a subsidiary of Google-parent Alphabet, to evaluate and mitigate risks arising from videos shared on their sites when it comes to minors' mental and physical health, the official said.
Brussels also wants more information on procedures in place to ensure the content seen by minors is age-suitable.
This is the second probe into TikTok that the EU launches since the DSA came into effect - Shutterstock
Back in August, Breton said that "child protection will be an enforcement priority" for the DSA.
Probe into TikTok, YouTube is part of the EU’s DSA compliance campaign
Since the DSA came into effect three months ago, it was also used to start a probe into AliExpress, the Chinese e-commerce giant owned by Alibaba. The AliExpress probe sought more information on what the company is doing to protect consumers online from illegal products.
Substantiated infractions of the DSA can carry heavy penalties of up to fines of six percent of an online company's global revenue.
The aim of the DSA is to better protect Europeans online, and it apples to platforms whose monthly users include more than 10 percent of the EU population, or 45 million people.
It requires the platforms to have in place mechanisms to quickly pull down content illegal under the laws of the EU or its member states, and to establish risk assessment and mitigation measures.
Nineteen platforms, including Google Search, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Amazon and Apple's AppStore reached that threshold.
Other smaller online companies will come under DSA scrutiny from mid-February, when EU member states will have set up national supervisory authorities.
