KUALA LUMPUR – ByteDance’s TikTok will have to answer accusations of breaches of transparency and obligations to protect minors online as part of a European Union investigation.
The European Commission has opened formal proceedings against the video-sharing app under the landmark Digital Services Act (DSA) to review whether the social media platform has done enough to protect children.
“The protection of minors is a top enforcement priority for the DSA. As a platform that reaches millions of children and teenagers, TikTok must fully comply with the DSA and has a particular role to play in the protection of minors online,” said EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, in the document sighted by Reuters.
If found guilty of breaching the law, TikTok could be fined up to 6% of its global turnover.
This is the second investigation under the DSA. Last year, Elon Musk’s X platform was investigated over possible infringement of the law and if its policies managed to combat “information manipulation” through its crowd-sourced Community Notes.
For Malaysia, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil reportedly said TikTok account ownership by children under 13 would be among the issues raised with the company’s management.
He added that he would discuss with the attorney-general if it would be necessary to take legal action against TikTok regarding account ownership by children, as done in other countries. – February 19, 2024