EU finds TikTok violates its digital rule book by failing to protect privacy of minors

The European Commission has issued a formal finding against TikTok, stating the platform failed to protect the privacy of minors. Regulators claim the social media app allowed adult users to view accounts belonging to children, a practice they say exposes minors to unwanted contact, potential predation, and cyberbullying.

This move follows an ongoing trend of scrutiny from Brussels toward major technology companies. The European Union has taken a firm stance on digital safety, recently establishing strict regulations to govern how platforms handle user data and interaction. This is not the first time TikTok has faced such pressure from European authorities. Earlier this year, the commission identified concerns regarding addictive design features, such as infinite scrolling and autoplay, which regulators argued could negatively impact the mental health of younger users.

TikTok now has the opportunity to respond to these specific findings. If the company fails to provide a satisfactory defense, the commission retains the authority to issue a non-compliance decision. Such a decision could result in significant financial penalties, with fines reaching as high as six percent of the company’s total annual global revenue.

This investigation reflects the broader regulatory climate in Europe where officials remain committed to enforcing digital standards. For now, the process remains in the investigative stage as the commission evaluates the platform's response to these privacy violations.