EU flags TikTok’s protection of minors

The European Commission has issued a yellow card to the system implemented by TikTok to protect minors’ accounts on the platform.

Brussels claims that the popular video-sharing app failed to provide an adequate level of privacy, security and data protection required by the Digital Services Act (DSA) for platforms accessible to young people.

This has resulted in minors being exposed to risks such as cyberbullying, online harassment and other predatory behavior. The core of the investigation, launched on February 19, 2024, concerns how TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, designed teenage accounts, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

Today, users aged 13 to 15 have private profiles by default, while 16- and 17-year-olds can choose whether to make their accounts public or private. According to the Berlaymont headquarters, this protection can be easily disabled, ANSA reports.

If a minor chooses a public account, their content can also be viewed by outside users and recommended through the “For You” feed.

Photo: Instagram/tiktok