TikTok charged with breaching EU tech rules on online safety for kids
2 sources↑ Market-relevant2 events
IN SHORT
The European Commission has found that TikTok failed to adequately protect children's privacy, exposing minors to risks like cyberbullying and unwanted contact. The platform faces potential fines of up to 6% of its global annual revenue.
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Key Numbers
6%potential fine as % of global annual revenue
February 2024date investigation began
€345 millionfine for data protection breaches in 2023
€530 millionfine for data transfer to China
Who's Involved
TikTok
social media platform charged with breaching EU tech rules
European Commission
EU tech enforcer issuing the charges
ByteDance
owner of TikTok
↳ Why This Matters
This action underscores the EU's commitment to enforcing its stringent digital regulations, particularly concerning child safety online, and signals potential significant financial penalties for non-compliant tech giants.
Key facts
TikTok has been formally charged by the European Commission for breaching the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA).
The charges stem from findings that TikTok's privacy settings failed to adequately protect children's accounts from adults.
Regulators cited risks of cyberbullying, unwanted contact, and predatory behavior due to these privacy failures.
Even private accounts can be easily discovered through follower lists, according to the Commission.
TikTok faces a potential fine of up to 6% of its global annual revenue if found in non-compliance.
This is the latest in a series of regulatory actions against TikTok in the EU, including previous fines for data protection breaches and addictive design.
The European Commission has formally charged TikTok with breaching the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), citing concerns that the platform's privacy settings inadequately protect children's accounts from adults. The Commission found that TikTok failed to shield minors' privacy, potentially exposing them to cyberbullying, unwanted contact, and predatory behavior. Even private accounts are reportedly discoverable through follower lists. This finding is part of a broader regulatory push by Brussels against major technology firms. TikTok now has the opportunity to present its defense before the Commission makes a final decision, which could result in a fine of up to 6% of the company's global annual revenue. The investigation into TikTok's compliance with the DSA began in February 2024. Previously, the Commission had already found TikTok in breach of the DSA regarding its 'addictive design' features. The platform has also faced significant fines from Ireland's Data Protection Commission, including €345 million for data protection rule violations concerning child accounts and €530 million for transferring European user data to China.
Frequently asked questions
TikTok is accused of breaching the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) concerning online content rules and child safety, specifically regarding privacy settings for minors.
Regulators are concerned that TikTok's design features allow children's accounts to be viewed by adults, potentially exposing them to cyberbullying, unwanted contact, and predatory behavior.
If found in violation, TikTok could face a fine of up to 6% of its global annual revenue.
TikTok stated it would review the findings and engage constructively with the regulator, highlighting its existing privacy and safety features for teen accounts.
What Happens Next
01TikTok will review the EU findings and present its response.
02The European Commission will issue a final decision on the charges.
03A fine of up to 6% of TikTok's global annual revenue could be imposed.
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Cadence
How It Developed
TikTok faces EU charges for violating online safety rules, potentially risking a large fine.
The European Commission found TikTok failed to shield the privacy of children's accounts from adults.
The Commission stated the failure exposed children to cyberbullying, unwanted contact, and predatory behavior.
TikTok can now defend itself and reply to the findings before a potential non-compliance decision and fine.
The Commission has been investigating TikTok's compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA) since February 2024.
In February, the Commission found the platform had breached another part of the DSA over its 'addictive design'.
TikTok was fined €345 million in 2023 for breaching EU data protection rules by allowing accounts for children under 13.
TikTok was separately fined €530 million for its transfer of European user data to China.
