2023-11-09 10:36:47
Do platforms represent a threat to the health of young people? Brussels is preparing to open an investigation into the measures implemented for the protection of minors by the social network TikTok and the video sharing site YouTube, we learned on Wednesday from a European official familiar with the matter. . “The services of Commissioner Thierry Breton are preparing to launch additional investigations” into compliance with the new European regulations on digital services (DSA) which came into force at the end of August, said this source, on condition of anonymity.
“Requests for information are being prepared for TikTok and YouTube,” added this official. He specified that the concerns relate in particular to the means deployed to assess and mitigate the risks of certain videos for the mental and physical health of children, as well as to the procedures to guarantee that the content broadcast is adapted to the age of minors. concerned. On paper, YouTube and TikTok are reserved for those over 13, but many young people get around this obligation by creating accounts with the help of their parents.
“The protection of children will be a priority”
“The protection of children will be a priority” in the implementation of the DSA, warned Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner in charge of digital affairs, in August. Brussels already announced in October three investigations targeting the social networks TikTok, violent images and remarks, after the Hamas attacks against Israel.
The European executive has also opened another investigation targeting the Chinese online sales site AliExpress concerning the alleged distribution of illegal products, in particular fake medicines. Concretely, these four files involve formal requests for information to verify that the rules imposed by the EU to protect European citizens are properly applied.
These requests do not currently constitute a challenge. But it is a first step in procedures which can lead to heavy financial sanctions in the event of proven and prolonged infringements of the regulations. In extreme cases, fines can reach 6% of the global turnover of the groups involved. Since the end of August, the DSA has imposed stricter rules on 19 very large internet players.
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