The European Commission has given YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok until November 15 to clarify the measures they are taking to comply with new European Union rules on digital services and demonstrate that they continue to respect the obligation to reduce risks to users’ mental health that may arise from their recommendation systems, the impact of which Brussels is also investigating in electoral processes and media pluralism.
Thus, digital services request detailed information on the parameters used by these platforms in their algorithms to recommend content to users, as well as their role in amplifying certain systemic risks, including those linked to the electoral process and civic discourse. , the mental well-being of users, for example with regard to addictive behavior, and the protection of minors.
According to a statement from the community executive, the questions addressed to the companies also relate to the measures they have taken to mitigate the potential influence of their recommendation systems in the dissemination of illegal content, such as the promotion of illegal drugs and hate speech.
In the case of TikTok, the Commission is also awaiting information on the measures it has put in place to avoid manipulation of its recommendation service by third parties and reduce risks linked to electoral processes or media pluralism that could be amplified by these systems.
The three platforms have until November 15 to answer their questions and, from there, Brussels will begin a detailed assessment to decide on the measures to follow, including the possibility of opening a formal infringement procedure under the of the Digital Services Act.
