The European Union, which has been shaking up technology companies lately, has launched an investigation into TikTok this time. Under its newly enacted Digital Services Act, which puts many social media platforms under scrutiny, the Union has concluded that TikTok has not adequately protected the privacy and safety of children. The platform is also accused of intentionally designing its system to be addictive, thereby harming users’ mental functions. Here are the details…
Tensions rise between the European Union and TikTok!
The Digital Services Act, which is said to protect users from fake news, hidden ads, and personal data breaches, has put 19 technology companies that most affect societies in the crosshairs. The regulation brought under the European Union raises a red flag for TikTok as well. These decisions, which encourage companies to be as transparent as possible, may require the platform to provide a more sensitive privacy option for minors.
Additionally, European Union members advocating for a change in the company’s recommendation content system to prioritize children argue that the platform, as it currently stands, has a high potential for creating addiction. Especially with the advancement of recommendation systems alongside artificial intelligence technologies, they are seen as a significant factor increasing the social media usage time for minors.
While representatives of the European Union suggest that the investigation into the TikTok platform may take quite some time, they also indicate that the more cooperation the platform’s managers have with them, the more likely they are to achieve a positive outcome. However, it remains to be seen whether the decisions made at the end of the process will be beneficial for users.
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