Snapchat Faces EU Investigation Over Child Protection Measures
The European Commission has launched a comprehensive investigation into Snapchat for allegedly failing to adequately protect children on its social media platform. This inquiry is the latest in a series of investigations targeting platforms that have not met their obligations under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Other platforms under investigation include AliExpress, Facebook and Instagram (owned by Meta), TikTok, and four pornographic websites. The EU’s focus on child protection has intensified, with member states urging the Commission to take stronger action. A recent court case in California concluded that Meta and YouTube were negligent in designing addictive platforms that harmed a child, resulting in a $3 million damages award.
The investigation into Snapchat comes as the EU cracks down on platforms that fail to protect minors. If found to have violated EU digital rules, Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, could face a fine of up to 6% of its global annual revenue. A Snapchat spokesperson stated that the safety and well-being of all users, particularly teenagers, are a top priority, and that the platform has built-in protections from the outset. The spokesperson added that Snapchat has fully cooperated with the Commission and will continue to do so throughout the investigation.
The EU’s inquiry will examine several aspects of Snapchat’s operations, including its age verification processes. Currently, Snapchat relies on self-declaration, which the Commission considers insufficient to protect children. In fact, a high-ranking Commission official described Snapchat’s age verification system as one of the weakest on the market. The system allows minors to pose as adults and adults to pose as minors, posing a dual risk. The Commission is also concerned about the platform’s ability to protect children from being contacted by users with harmful intentions, including exploitation and recruitment for criminal activities.
The investigation will also assess Snapchat’s measures to prevent the sale of illegal and prohibited items to minors, such as e-cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs. Additionally, the Commission will evaluate the ease of use of Snapchat’s reporting mechanisms for illegal content. The EU has pointed out that Snapchat’s default settings do not provide sufficient privacy, safety, and security for minors. For instance, the “Find Friends” feature recommends children and teenagers to adult users, and the platform enables notifications by default, which can attract users to the platform.
The EU’s investigation follows an in-depth examination by the Dutch authority responsible for consumer and competition law, which is tasked with enforcing national laws. Snap is already in discussions with the Commission to develop an age verification system that would allow users to prove they are over 18 without revealing personal data. This system, being developed with six EU countries, could provide a means for Snap to comply with its DSA obligations. The outcome of the investigation will be closely watched, as it may have significant implications for Snapchat and other social media platforms operating in the EU.
As the EU continues to scrutinize the effects and responsibilities of digital platforms towards children, the investigation into Snapchat serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing child protection in the digital age. The Commission’s efforts to hold platforms accountable for their actions will likely have far-reaching consequences for the tech industry. With the EU taking a proactive approach to regulating digital services, companies like Snap must adapt to the evolving regulatory landscape to ensure the safety and well-being of their users.
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