EU Accuses TikTok of Breaching Tech Rules, Facing Multi-Billion Dollar Fine Over Child Safety

The European Union officially accused TikTok on Friday of failing to protect children on its platform, leaving the company at risk of a multi-billion dollar fine. According to preliminary findings released by the European Commission under Article 28 of the Digital Services Act (DSA), TikTok’s default account settings expose minors to severe online risks, including cyberbullying and predatory behavior. If the preliminary findings are confirmed, the ByteDance-owned platform could face penalties of up to 6% of its global annual turnover.

Regulators Demand "Private by Default"

The core of the EU's antitrust and digital safety complaint targets how easily children's accounts can be discovered online. Even when minors attempt to restrict their visibility, their profiles can still be located through other users' "following" lists, and their profile photos remain viewable to the public.

European authorities are demanding that TikTok overhaul its settings so that content posted by children is strictly hidden from the public by default.

EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen emphasized that the Digital Services Act (DSA) requires safety by design, stating, "A high level of protection should not be an opt-in; it should be the default".

Key Safety Concerns Identified

Regulators highlighted several risks to minors, including:

• Public Visibility: Content from users aged 16–17 is publicly accessible by default.
• Algorithmic Exposure: The EU advises that TikTok should not use its main feed to recommend content from minors.
• Easy Access for Predators: Concerns that loopholes in settings allow easy identification of younger users.

TikTok's Response and Upcoming Steps

TikTok defended its platform, stating it already provides over 50 safety features, with accounts for users under 18 set to private by default. The company noted restrictions on direct messaging and algorithmic feeds for younger users.

TikTok will now review the European Commission's files and submit a formal response. This action coincides with broader EU efforts to restrict addictive social media features, such as endless scrolling.