The European Union has escalated a probe against TikTok, charging the ByteDance-owned social network with breaching online content rules. The European Commission provisionally found that the platform failed to meet the bloc's safety standards regarding the protection of teen users.
The Commission found that TikTok did not adequately protect children's privacy rights by allowing the accounts of minors to remain public. These privacy settings enabled adults to view the content of these accounts, leaving children open to associated risks.
Such design features potentially expose children to cyberbullying and contact from abusers or predators. The EU has accused the social network of failing to ensure the general safety and privacy of its younger users.
TikTok stated that it would review the findings and intends to work constructively with the regulator.