EU Commission demands tighter privacy protections for minors on TikTok

• The European Commission has made a preliminary finding that TikTok violates the Digital Services Act (DSA) by failing to provide a high level of privacy and safety for minors.
• Regulators demand that TikTok restricts content visibility for users under 18, limits recommendation algorithms for older teens, and prevents non-platform access to minors' content.
• Failure to comply with these demands could result in fines of up to six percent of TikTok's global annual revenue.

Concerns Regarding Minors' Privacy

• For users aged 13–15: The Commission argues this group should not have the option to make accounts public, as it exposes them to anyone, including non-users. Even with private accounts, profiles and follower lists can be used to identify these minors.
• For users aged 16–17: While public accounts are permitted, regulators object to content being discoverable outside the platform or promoted via the "For You" feed.
• Security implications: Officials fear these design choices prioritize viral growth over safety, increasing risks of cyberbullying and unwanted contact by malicious actors.

Regulatory Process and Next Steps

• Proceedings were initiated in February 2024 to address potential failures in protecting minors.
• TikTok is now reviewing the Commission's documents and can submit a response. While no specific deadline was set, the Commission expects changes to account default settings.
• Ongoing investigations: A separate probe into the platform's "addictive design" remains open, and the Commission continues to evaluate the effectiveness of TikTok's age verification systems as part of a wider EU project.