The European Union regulators are investigating Snapchat over concerns about the platform’s ability to protect minors from risks such as exploitation by child predators and recruitment by criminals.
On Thursday, the European Commission announced a formal investigation under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which sets high standards for online safety. While Snapchat requires users to be at least 13, the Commission suspects that its age verification measures are insufficient.
Additionally, there are concerns about the platform’s ability to prevent underage users from encountering inappropriate content or being approached by individuals with harmful intentions.
“From grooming and exposure to illegal products to account settings that undermine minors’ safety, Snapchat appears to have overlooked that the Digital Services Act demands high safety standards for all users. With this investigation, we will closely look into their compliance with our legislation,” said Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy.
In response, Snapchat has pledged to fully cooperate with the Commission, emphasising its commitment to user safety and well-being. The company asserts that its platform includes integrated privacy and safety measures, particularly for younger users.
This investigation reveals that social media companies are facing pressures on both sides of the Atlantic over the welfare of young people.
A California jury awarded millions to a 20-year-old woman, finding that Meta and YouTube designed their platforms to attract young users with little regard for their well-being. Snap Inc. and TikTok settled before trial.
In a separate case in New Mexico, Meta faced a $375 million penalty for harming children’s mental health and hiding information about child exploitation.
The European Union has also accused TikTok of violating the Digital Services Act due to its addictive features. Investigations into child protection issues on Facebook and Instagram have been ongoing since 2024.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
