The European Commission has initiated a formal investigation to determine whether TikTok has violated the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) in relation to the protection of minors, advertising transparency, data access for researchers, and managing risk for addictive design and harmful content. This investigation adds to the existing privacy and safety concerns surrounding the video-sharing platform, prompting businesses to consider prohibiting its use by employees on corporate networks. The DSA aims to regulate internet companies and protect European users from online disinformation and illegal content, prohibiting practices such as targeting users based on religion, gender, or sexual orientation. TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have faced controversy over the platform’s potential dangers, with concerns raised by the US Federal Communications Commission and the European Commission, leading to bans on TikTok’s use by government entities. The investigation will focus on whether TikTok has fulfilled its obligations under the DSA, particularly in assessing and mitigating systemic risks associated with algorithmic systems that may stimulate behavioral addictions and disinformation. For more information, you can visit www.computerworld.com
