The European Commission has announced the opening of a formal investigation against TikTok for a lack of transparency in the management of the advertisements included in the application and also for failing to take the necessary measures Protection of minor users a design that creates addictive behavior, obligations that major digital platforms are subject to in the new European Digital Services Law.
“The safety and well-being of European online users is crucial,” Community Vice-President in charge of competition Margrethe Vestager said in a statement released to announce the file and warn its services they will “check carefully” the “risks” posed by TikTok.
Specifically, Brussels is focusing its formal investigation on the protection of minors, advertising transparency, access to data for researchers and the risk management of addictive design and harmful content. If the process concludes that the rules have been violated, the community board will be notified can decide on economic sanctions.
The new EU legal framework does not provide for a specific deadline for completing the investigation, during which Brussels has the power to take interim measures or make the company an offer Commitments to correct the problems.
The Key elements to examine Brussels concerns measures to assess and mitigate systemic risks of negative user effects arising from application design, including algorithmic risks that may stimulate addictive or abstractive behavior.
The municipal council reminds that these measures are necessary to counteract the potential risks for the population physical and mental well-being of people, Respect for the rights of minors and their impact on radicalization processes.
It will also examine compliance with the obligations of the Digital Services Act to determine appropriate and proportionate measures to ensure that a high level of privacy, security and protection of minors, particularly with regard to the default privacy settings for minors in the design and operation of their recommendation systems.
They are also investigating compliance with the requirement to provide a reliable and accessible repository for advertising presented on TikTok, as well as the measures the platform has taken to increase its transparency.