The European Union has announced an investigation into TikTok and whether the ByteDance-owned social media platform has violated the bloc’s rules designed to protect children and ensure transparent advertising.

In a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton said: "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 that the EU had analysed TikTok’s risk assessment report and its replies to requests for information.

Any potential violation would fall under breaches of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) which was implemented on 17 February. These rules define large online platforms and search engines as ‘gatekeepers’ and requires them to do more to tackle illegal content.

Should it be found to be in violation, ByteDance could face fines of up to six per cent of its global turnover.

In comments to Reuters, a spokesperson for TikTok reaffirmed the company’s commitment to keeping young people safe on the platform and that it would explain its work in detail to the European Commission. They said: "TikTok has pioneered features and settings to protect teens and keep under 13s off the platform, issues the whole industry is grappling with.”

The Commission’s investigation will focus on TikTok’s algorithmic systems which have been accused of simulating behavioural addictions, and will also probe whether TikTok has put appropriate and proportionate measures in place to ensure a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors.

---