The European Commission has sent TikTok its preliminary findings, considering that the platform could fail to fully comply with obligations provided for by the Digital Services Act regarding the protection of minors online.
According to Brussels, some TikTok account settings expose children, boys, and girls to excessive risks. Specifically, minors can make their profiles public, allowing even people without TikTok accounts to view their content.
Furthermore, for users aged 16 to 17, public content can be recommended to other profiles through the "For you" section, increasing the possibility of unwanted contacts, episodes of Bullying online or improper use of shared content.
The Commission also highlights critical issues for private accounts: profiles, photos, and connections through followers and following can still make minors easily identifiable.
The Digital Services Act requires platforms accessible to minors to ensure high standards of privacy, security, and protection. According to the EU's preliminary assessment, TikTok has not taken sufficient measures to limit the exposure of young people.
The procedure does not yet represent a final decision: TikTok will be able to respond to the complaints and submit its observations before the European Commission concludes its review.