Security News > 2024 > February > Two days into the Digital Services Act, EU wields it to deepen TikTok probe

Two days after its Digital Services Act came into effect, the European Union used it to open an investigation into made-in-China social network TikTok.

European Commissioner Thierry Breton delivered news of the probe in a Xeet that revealed the investigation will consider "Suspected breach of transparency & obligations to protect minors."

The investigation follows a preliminary investigation that saw TikTok submit a risk assessment report in September 2023.

TikTok's responses clearly did not satisfy the Commission's initial probe, leading it to open further proceedings against TikTok under the Digital Services Act.

The Commission has made its investigation of TikTok a "Priority" but also pointed out that the DSA does not mandate deadlines and "The duration of an in-depth investigation depends on several factors, including the complexity of the case, the extent to which the company concerned cooperates with the Commission and the exercise of the rights of defence."

If a finding of non-compliance is reached, penalties of up to six percent of global turnover, and/or the imposition of an "Enhanced supervision period" during which the EU oversees platforms' efforts to comply with the DSA. The Register has been unable to find TikTok comment on the matter but has asked the org for its reaction to the EU's actions.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/20/eu_tiktok_investigation/