EU Opens Formal Investigation Into TikTok Over Possible Online Content Breaches (reuters.com) 18
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Reuters: The European Union will investigate whether ByteDance's TikTok breached online content rules aimed at protecting children and ensuring transparent advertising, an official said on Monday, putting the social media platform at risk of a hefty fine. EU industry chief Thierry Breton said he took the decision after analyzing the short video app's risk assessment report and its replies to requests for information, confirming a Reuters story. "Today we open an investigation into TikTok over suspected breach of transparency & obligations to protect minors: addictive design & screen time limits, rabbit hole effect, age verification, default privacy settings," Breton said on X.
The European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), which applies to all online platforms since Feb. 17, requires in particular very large online platforms and search engines to do more to tackle illegal online content and risks to public security. TikTok's owner, China-based ByteDance, could face fines of up to 6% of its global turnover if TikTok is found guilty of breaching DSA rules. TikTok said it would continue to work with experts and the industry to keep young people on its platform safe and that it looked forward to explaining this work in detail to the European Commission.
The European Commission said the investigation will focus on the design of TikTok's system, including algorithmic systems which may stimulate behavioral addictions and/or create so-called 'rabbit hole effects'. It will also probe whether TikTok has put in place appropriate and proportionate measures to ensure a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors. As well as the issue of protecting minors, the Commission is looking at whether TikTok provides a reliable database on advertisements on its platform so that researchers can scrutinize potential online risks.
The European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), which applies to all online platforms since Feb. 17, requires in particular very large online platforms and search engines to do more to tackle illegal online content and risks to public security. TikTok's owner, China-based ByteDance, could face fines of up to 6% of its global turnover if TikTok is found guilty of breaching DSA rules. TikTok said it would continue to work with experts and the industry to keep young people on its platform safe and that it looked forward to explaining this work in detail to the European Commission.
The European Commission said the investigation will focus on the design of TikTok's system, including algorithmic systems which may stimulate behavioral addictions and/or create so-called 'rabbit hole effects'. It will also probe whether TikTok has put in place appropriate and proportionate measures to ensure a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors. As well as the issue of protecting minors, the Commission is looking at whether TikTok provides a reliable database on advertisements on its platform so that researchers can scrutinize potential online risks.
Can we all admit this is a political witch hunt? (Score:1)
Nobody believes that Tiktok is any more abusive than all the other light entertainments out there.
"& obligations to protect minors" Yes, we get it, "won't somebody PLEASE think of the children!" ...it's unstopping bullshit aimed to target the feeble-minded.
This is all about stiggin' it to China.
Re:Can we all admit this is a political witch hunt (Score:4, Interesting)
I'll bite. What's wrong with sticking it to China?
Re: (Score:2)
Been there, done that, got tshirt. What else, AC?
The current year is 2024 not 1972 and Nixon is long dead.
Re: (Score:3)
Nothing wrong with fairly and equally applying the rules. Targeting China specifically doesn't seem right though.
Since the EU enforces these rules against EU and US companies as well, I think we are okay here.
Re: (Score:2)
I've never said that. I do wish they'd target things that matter instead of the port and App Store in the iPhone. How about you guys push for global privacy controls instead of cable changes? I'd cheer that on.
Re: (Score:2)
If you want a discussion don't post AC. I no longer engage AC in serious discussion.
Re: Can we all admit this is a political witch hun (Score:2)
What can the EU do to improve the US' and China's privacy controls that it isn't already doing?
Re:Can we all admit this is a political witch hunt (Score:4, Insightful)
Nobody believes that Tiktok is any more abusive than all the other light entertainments out there.
"Witch hunt" is when someone did no wrong but you whip up hysteria to persecute them.
Do you believe that Tiktok is about as abusive as the other light entertainments? Do you believe that they all are abusive? Then it's not a witch-hunt.
Re: Can we all admit this is a political witch hun (Score:3)
Tiktok has far more potential for abuse than other social media which can be reined in.