EU Flags Meta and TikTok for Violating Digital Content and Transparency Rules

The European Commission has accused Meta and TikTok of breaching key obligations under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), citing failures to provide researchers adequate access to public data and to make it easier for users to report illegal or harmful content.

In its preliminary findings released on Friday, the Commission said Meta’s Facebook and Instagram lacked user-friendly mechanisms for flagging illegal materials such as child sexual abuse and terrorist content. The report also found that both Meta and the Chinese-owned TikTok imposed “burdensome procedures” for researchers seeking data access a key transparency requirement under the DSA.

The DSA, enacted to make digital platforms more accountable, mandates that large social media and search companies implement robust measures to curb the spread of illegal and harmful content while ensuring transparency and user safety.

“Allowing researchers access to platform data is essential for public scrutiny,” the Commission said. “It helps assess the impact of platforms on users’ physical and mental health.”

According to EU officials, Meta’s reporting systems may discourage users through “deceptive interface designs” and “unnecessary steps,” making its Notice and Action mechanisms ineffective. These systems are central to the DSA framework, enabling EU citizens to report content that violates national or EU laws.

In response, a Meta spokesperson stated that the company disagreed with the Commission’s findings and would continue to engage in discussions to address the concerns.

TikTok has not yet publicly commented on the Commission’s report.

The EU’s investigation underscores its growing efforts to hold tech giants accountable for transparency, data access, and user protection, signaling tighter regulatory oversight of digital platforms operating across Europe.