The European Commission's preliminary probe finds TikTok's account settings for minors may breach the Digital Services Act by exposing young users too widely. Regulators flagged public profiles visible to non-users, algorithmic recommendations of content from 16- and 17-year-olds, and easily discoverable private accounts. TikTok can submit a written reply; if found in breach, it could face fines of up to 6% of global annual turnover.
EU Probe Says TikTok Account Settings Expose Minors — Platform Could Face Fine Up To 6% Of Global Turnover
The logo of the TikTok platform is displayed on a smartphone. (is associated with: «TikTok account settings fail to keep children safe, EU probe finds») Monika Skolimowska/dpa
The European Commission's preliminary investigation finds that TikTok's default account settings for minors may expose children to unwanted contact and cyberbullying. Regulators say the platform allows underage users to maintain public profiles that can be viewed by people without a TikTok account and that its recommendation algorithm can surface content from 16- and 17-year-olds to other users.
Details of the Probe
In a statement published on Friday, the Commission highlighted several concerns: public profiles for minors are visible to non-users, private accounts are easily discoverable, and the platform's algorithm can recommend content posted by 16- and 17-year-olds. The regulators warned that "this exposure could result in unwanted contact from potential perpetrators and a risk that content can be used for cyberbullying."
The Commission said these practices may violate the protections for minors under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), which imposes strict safety requirements for child accounts and content.
Next Steps and Possible Penalties
TikTok has the opportunity to submit a written response to the Commission's preliminary findings. If the Commission ultimately concludes TikTok breached EU law, it could impose a financial penalty of up to 6% of the company's global annual turnover under the DSA.
European Commission: "These account settings expose minors' accounts and content too widely."
The probe underscores growing regulatory scrutiny of social platforms' treatment of young users and their algorithmic recommendation systems. TikTok has not been found guilty at this stage; the procedure allows the company to respond before any final decision or sanction.
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