The European Union (EU) has initiated investigations into Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and Snap, the operator of the Snapchat platform, as part of its scrutiny of tech firms for compliance with the recently implemented Digital Services Act (DSA). The European Commission has formally requested information from Meta and Snap on the measures they have implemented to safeguard minors using their platforms. The focus is on assessing steps taken to prevent illegal content and protect younger users online.

These probes follow similar inquiries launched on Thursday into YouTube and TikTok, examining the efficacy of measures in place to shield minors from harmful content. The DSA, which became effective in August, prohibits targeted advertising to individuals aged 17 and under. The investigations are at an initial stage and do not imply legal violations or punitive actions against the companies. Meta and Snap have until December 1 to respond to the EU’s inquiries.

Under the Digital Services Act, platforms found in violation could face fines of up to six percent of their global turnover. The EU has previously initiated investigations into TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Meta concerning disinformation following the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel. Additionally, AliExpress, owned by China’s Alibaba, is being probed to gather more information on its efforts to protect consumers from the sale of illegal products, including counterfeit medicines.

The DSA is a significant component of the EU’s efforts to regulate major tech companies. TikTok and YouTube are among the 22 services identified by the EU in September, subject to stricter regulations under the Digital Markets Act. Full compliance with the Digital Markets Act is required by March 2024.

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