The European Union (EU) has initiated a second probe into TikTok, suspecting potential breaches of the Digital Services Act (DSA) in Romania, according to a statement from the European Commission.
Initial Investigation
Earlier this year, in February, the EU began looking into the controversial Chinese social media app for alleged DSA violations. These issues include the safeguarding of minors, transparency in advertising, accessibility of data for researchers, and the management of risks associated with addictive design and harmful content.
Focus Areas of the Inquiry
The Commission plans to zero in on two main aspects: first, it will analyze TikTok's recommendation algorithms for any possible manipulative practices; second, it will investigate paid political ads and content featured on the app. The goal is to determine if TikTok has taken adequate steps to address risks associated with specific regional and linguistic characteristics during national elections.
Basis for the Investigation
The Commission's decision to launch an investigation stems from "declassified intelligence reports" provided by Romanian officials, along with additional inquiries from outside sources. Furthermore, the EU has mandated TikTok to retain and safeguard data related to the Romanian elections, which are set to take place from November 24, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
Source: Link
