EU Takes Action Against TikTok and Meta for Transparency Breaches

The European Commission is sounding the alarm regarding TikTok and Meta, stating potential breaches of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Initial findings indicate that both social media powerhouses may have limited researchers' access to public data, which could adversely affect studies related to user safety and exposure to illegal or harmful content.

According to the DSA, platforms must ensure “adequate access” to their public datasets to allow researchers to assess the effects of social media on physical and mental health. The Commission states that Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have implemented cumbersome processes leading to incomplete and unreliable data.

Alongside transparency issues, Meta, which encompasses both Facebook and Instagram, is also accused of failing to offer straightforward ways for users to report illegal content and effectively dispute moderation decisions.

If these initial findings are substantiated, the Commission may impose fines reaching up to 6% of a company’s total global annual revenue, potentially costing ByteDance (TikTok) and Meta billions of dollars.

This isn’t the first time the EU has initiated action against these firms. Earlier this year, Meta incurred a fine of €200 million due to user consent issues under the Digital Markets Act, while TikTok was hit with a €530 million penalty by the Irish Data Protection Commission for unlawful data transfers to China.

The Commission has invited both companies to review the findings and submit a written response. These investigations underscore the EU’s stronger stance on holding Big Tech accountable, emphasizing the need for transparency, user safety, and fairness online.