The European Union has announced a formal investigation against Tick tock because of alleged attacks on users, especially minors. European countries argue that the design is highly addictive and that the apparent lack of adequate measures to protect the platform's youngest users would be illegal. This action comes amid growing concerns about the impact of digital content on children and young people.
The investigation adds to the regulatory pressure TikTok is facing after Ireland's data watchdog fined it nearly €350 million over alleged data breaches linked to teenagers' use of the platform.
The European Commission has the power, under the bloc's flagship law on digital services, to impose fines of up to 6 percent of a company's annual turnover or even ban its activity in the EU for repeated violations.
What will the European Union investigate Tiktok?
According to the Bloomberg portal, Thierry Breton, EU Internal Market Commissioner, said that the investigation will focus on several aspects, including TikTok's addictive design, screen time limits, privacy settings and registration procedures. Social media platform age verification.
TikTok, for its part, has said it will continue to work with experts and the industry to ensure the safety of young people on its platform. The company hopes to have the opportunity to present its efforts to the European Commission in detail.
This investigation reflects a tougher EU approach towards big technology companies and their responsibilities in managing digital content and protecting users, especially minors.
Background in Ireland
The European Union's investigation into TikTok is directly related to what happened Ireland as a result of a fine previously imposed by the Irish Data Supervisory Authority. Last December, that authority fined TikTok nearly €350 million for alleged privacy violations related to teenagers using the platform.
According to Bloomberg, Ireland's fine focused on the handling of private data of teenage users between the ages of 13 and 17 who used the video-sharing app. The investigation found that TikTok had violated the rules of the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) over a specific five-month period.
Now the European Union's investigation is expanding to include not only privacy issues, but also concerns about the platform's addictive design, screen time limits and other issues related to the safety and protection of minors. Both investigations come within the broader context of regulatory scrutiny of large technology companies and their responsibilities in managing digital content and protecting users.