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TikTok Faces EU Charges Over Child Safety and Privacy Under Digital Services Act

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TikTok is facing fresh regulatory scrutiny in Europe after the European Commission issued preliminary findings alleging that the platform’s design may not provide adequate protections for children under the Digital Services Act (DSA).

The regulator argues that certain account settings and platform features could leave younger users more vulnerable to cyberbullying, unwanted contact, and online predators, marking the latest enforcement action against the ByteDance-owned social media platform.

According to the Commission, TikTok currently allows minors to create public accounts that make their content visible to a wider audience, increasing potential exposure to harmful interactions. Regulators also raised concerns that even private accounts may remain discoverable through follower and following lists, allowing children to be identified by users who may not even have TikTok accounts.

European officials say platforms should implement privacy-by-default protections for minors, ensuring that children’s content is only accessible to approved followers unless users actively choose otherwise after reaching an appropriate age.

The case represents the fourth major investigation involving TikTok under the Digital Services Act in the past two years, highlighting the European Union’s increasingly aggressive approach toward enforcing online safety standards for large technology platforms.

TikTok has stated that it will review the Commission’s findings and continue cooperating with regulators. The company emphasized that it already provides extensive protections for teenage users, including more than 50 built-in privacy and safety features.

Among those measures, TikTok noted that accounts belonging to users under 18 are private by default, while younger teenagers cannot use direct messaging or have their content recommended through the platform’s “For You” feed.

Despite those safeguards, European regulators argue that stronger default protections are required under the Digital Services Act, which obligates very large online platforms to proactively identify and reduce risks affecting vulnerable users, particularly children.

If the preliminary findings are confirmed following TikTok’s response, the company could face financial penalties of up to 6% of its global annual revenue, making the investigation one of the most significant regulatory challenges for the platform in Europe.

The case also reflects a broader international trend toward stricter oversight of social media companies. Governments worldwide are introducing regulations that require platforms to demonstrate stronger child safety protections, enhanced privacy controls, and greater accountability for algorithmic recommendations and online content.

As digital services become increasingly central to young people’s daily lives, regulators are shifting their focus beyond content moderation toward platform design itself, requiring technology companies to embed safety protections directly into the user experience rather than relying solely on optional settings.

Greece Moves Toward Social Media Ban for Under-15s

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Greece is preparing to introduce a social media ban for children under 15, as concerns over addiction, cyberbullying and online safety intensify among parents and policymakers.

The expected measure, backed by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s government, would align Greece with countries like Australia that have already implemented similar restrictions. While details on enforcement and timing remain unclear, an official announcement is anticipated soon.

Public support for the move appears strong. Surveys indicate that around 80% of respondents favor a ban, reflecting widespread concern over the impact of platforms such as Meta’s Instagram and TikTok on young users.

Data from Greece’s Safer Internet Centre shows a sharp rise in cyberbullying cases and online abuse, with helpline calls more than doubling in a year. Experts warn that a large proportion of children using social media are too young to manage associated risks effectively.

Despite support, some parents remain skeptical about enforcement, noting that children may find ways to bypass restrictions. Others argue that family-level controls could be more effective than government intervention.

The initiative reflects a broader global shift toward tighter regulation of social media access for minors, as governments respond to growing evidence of its impact on youth mental health and behavior.

Indonesia Set to Enforce Social Media Curbs for Under-16s

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Indonesia is preparing to implement new restrictions on social media use for users under 16, but uncertainty remains over how the rules will be enforced.

The regulation targets platforms deemed “high-risk,” including Roblox, Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, Alphabet Inc.’s YouTube, TikTok and X. These services may be required to deactivate accounts belonging to underage users or restrict access based on risk criteria such as exposure to strangers, addictive algorithms and psychological harm.

Officials say the policy is designed to reduce cyberbullying and digital addiction among children. However, key implementation details—such as verification systems and enforcement mechanisms—remain unclear just as the rules are set to take effect.

Authorities indicated that account deactivations will begin gradually, with some platforms already outlining initial compliance steps. Roblox, for example, is expected to introduce stricter controls for younger users, while TikTok and X have signaled readiness to enforce minimum age requirements.

Despite these measures, experts question the effectiveness of the policy, noting that enforcement could be technically complex and that children may still find ways to bypass restrictions.

The move reflects a broader global trend of tightening social media regulations for minors, as governments respond to increasing concerns over mental health, online safety and platform design.