EU Opens Investigation Into Child Safety Failures at Social Media Giant Snapchat
On March 26, the European Union announced it is launching an inquiry to determine whether social media platform Snaptch has failed in its duty of care toward minors. The Commission's probe specifically targets allegations that Snapchat allows children access to illegal goods and facilitates sexual solicitation through features like "Discover" feeds designed for adults but accessible by younger users without adequate safeguards or parental consent mechanisms, as highlighted across multiple reports from Brussels on Thursday morning
Key Points
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1The European Union has launched an investigation into the social messaging app Snapchat under its Digital Services Act.
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2Brussels is concerned that Snapchat fails to protect children from online harm, including grooming and sexual exploitation.
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3In a related decision on Thursday, EU regulators also found four pornographic websites failing in their duty to prevent minors' access.
Developments
Perspectives
Brussels has opened an investigation into the social messaging app over concerns that it is exposing children to grooming, sexual exploitation and other criminality.
— (Theguardian)This probe represents a significant development as it marks the first time Snapchat will be investigated under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) law regarding child protection failures.
— (Deccanchronicle)EU regulators are simultaneously investigating four pornographic websites for failing to prevent minors from accessing content, highlighting broader systemic issues in online safety enforcement across Europe.
— (Theguardian / Independent.co.uk)Brussels has launched an inquiry into Snapchat for allegedly exposing minors to grooming, sexual exploitation, drugs, age-restricted products like alcohol and vapes, while failing to enforce its 13-year minimum user requirement. This investigation falls under Europe's Digital Services Act (DSA), which aims to combat online harms including cyberbullying after a recent US court ruling highlighted addictive social media practices harming young users.
The European Union has launched its first investigation under the Digital Services Act (DSA) into Snapchat, suspecting it fails to protect users aged 13+ by allowing underage access or exposing them to grooming and illegal content. The probe will examine five specific areas regarding child safety measures before concluding whether these safeguards meet DSA standards after a year of cooperation from both parties.