The European Commission (EC) is stepping up its checks on major social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat. They are asking these companies for detailed information about their recommender systems. A recommender system is a part of algorithm that looks at what users like and suggests content, such as videos or posts, that they might enjoy. While these systems help personalise our online experience, they can also create problems, like spreading harmful content.
As part of their investigation, the EC has asked YouTube and Snapchat to explain how their recommendation algorithms work. The goal is to see if these systems might increase risks during elections, encourage addictive behaviour, or promote illegal content like hate speech or drugs.
The EC is investigating Meta’s platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. They are checking if these platforms have proper privacy settings to protect minors and whether they are doing enough to prevent addictive behaviour linked to their recommendation systems.
TikTok is also being asked to share details about the steps it has taken to stop bad actors from manipulating its platform. The Commission wants to know how TikTok’s algorithms could impact elections and public discussions.
This isn’t the first time TikTok has come under scrutiny. Earlier this year, the EC began looking into the TikTok Lite Rewards Program, which raised concerns about its potential to keep users hooked, especially younger ones. In response, TikTok suspended the program in the EU.
With a deadline of November 15, 2024, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat need to act quickly to provide the requested information. The European Commission, under Article 74 (2) of the Digital Services Act (DSA), can impose fines on companies that provide incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information in response to requests for information (RFIs). If a company fails to reply to an RFI, the Commission may issue a formal request for the information, and continued non-compliance could result in periodic penalty payments until the company fulfils the request.
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