EU charges TikTok over child safety

The International — European Commission has issued preliminary findings charging ByteDance — TikTok Shop with breaching the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) for failing to adequately protect children on its platform. The Commission alleges that ByteDance — TikTok Shop's default account settings for minors expose them to risks such as cyberbullying and predatory behavior, as children can make accounts public and private accounts can be found through other users' follower lists. ByteDance — TikTok Shop faces a potential fine of up to 6% of its global annual turnover if the findings are confirmed. The company has stated it will review the findings and continue to engage with regulators, emphasizing its existing privacy and safety features. This is the fourth DSA allegation against ByteDance — TikTok Shop in two years. Separately, France has passed a law banning social media for under-15s, and United Kingdom — Ofcom has launched an investigation into ByteDance — TikTok Shop's age verification and child safety practices under the UK's Online Safety Act.