The European Commission is investigating measures to protect minors

Brussels launched an investigation into the measures taken by the social media platforms #TikTok and YouTube to protect the “mental and physical health of minors.”

The European Commission announced   in a statement that it had asked the two social media sites to “provide additional information about the measures they have taken to implement their obligations related to the protection of minors,” within the framework of a new European Union law related to digital services that will enter into force at the end of August.

These requests do not, so far, represent an accusation against the two platforms, but they are a first step in measures that could lead to severe financial penalties, if it is proven that the two platforms have violated the law for a long period.

In extreme cases, fines may reach 6 percent of the total global revenues of the two platforms concerned.

The European Commission said: “#TikTok and YouTube must submit the required information to the Commission no later than November 30, 2023. The Commission will determine the next steps based on an evaluation of the information it will receive.”

The Commission’s announcement comes within the framework of steps led by Digital Affairs Commissioner Tiberi Bruton, to force major platforms to respect the new obligations imposed on them.

Bruton warned in August that “protecting children will be a priority” in implementing the new law related to digital services.

In October, the European Commission announced three investigations targeting #TikTok, “X” (formerly Twitter), and Meta, to demand details about the measures taken against the spread of “misinformation, images and statements that involve violence.”

Since the end of August, the new law related to digital services has imposed stricter rules on 19 major Internet companies.

Source: Sky News