TikTok failed to keep children’s accounts private from adults. That is the European Commission’s latest conclusion. The finding came on Friday. It means the social media giant allowed adults to view the profiles of minors.
The Commission called the lapse serious. It warned this failure exposes kids to cyberbullying. Unwanted contact follows. Predatory behavior is part of the mix.
Brussels has a pattern. This is a crackdown on Big Tech. The EU leads the world in regulating firms like Meta and Apple. TikTok is now the next target under scrutiny.
Why the DSA Investigation Matters for TikTok Users
The clock started ticking in February 2024. The Commission launched an investigation then. The focus was compliance. The rulebook is the Digital Services Act, or DSA. It is sweeping. It applies to online platforms. TikTok was designated a Very Large Online Platform. That status triggers strict rules.
This is not the first stumble for TikTok. In February of this year, the Commission issued another adverse finding. They looked at “addictive design.” Features like autoplay and infinite scroll were cited. The Commission argues these harm physical and mental health. Minors are particularly vulnerable.
TikTok did not agree then. They rejected the assessment. Their spokesperson called the Commission’s view “categorically false.”
Can TikTok Avoid the 6% Fine?
The company has a chance to defend itself now. TikTok can reply to the current findings. They can present their side of the story.
But the stakes are high. If the Commission is not satisfied with the response, things get worse. A non-compliance decision could follow. The penalty is steep. It can reach 6% of total annual revenue.
This number is not small. For a company of TikTok’s size, it is massive. It forces immediate action.
A History of EU Fines and Data Concerns
The DSA is not the only rulebook TikTok violates. Ireland’s Data Protection Commission has its own record. They fined TikTok €345 million in 203 for breaching data protection laws.
The reason was similar. The platform allowed accounts for children under 13. Data safeguarding was inadequate. The regulator found the protections lacking.
Then came a second fine. €530 million. This penalty related to data transfers. User data was sent to China. The High Court in Ireland upheld this decision this year.
So TikTok faces pressure from multiple angles. The DSA targets platform design and content moderation. Data laws target how information moves. Both are active.
The current investigation focuses on the specific breach. Adults seeing minor accounts. That is the core failure identified now.
What will TikTok’s strategy be? They will likely argue they are improving. They may point to new features. But the Commission looks at outcomes. The outcome here is clear. Minors were exposed.
The Commission must weigh TikTok’s response. Do the arguments hold water? Or do they repeat old promises?
If the judgment remains negative, the fine is likely. But the reputational damage might hurt more. Users are sensitive. Parents are watching.
The EU’s message is consistent. Rules apply equally to all. Size does not exempt you. TikTok knows this. They just have to decide how to change before the gavel drops.
The response period is open now. Watch for the filing. It will determine the next move.
