On July 24, 2026, the European Commission announced preliminary findings accusing TikTok of violating the Digital Services Act (DSA) regarding the protection of minors. Brussels contends that the platform fails to provide adequate privacy and safety settings, as accounts for minors can remain public by default, allowing anyone, including non-users, to access their content. Furthermore, the Commission raised concerns that content posted by 16 and 17-year-olds can be promoted via the 'For You' feed, potentially exposing them to unwanted contact, bullying, or long-term digital footprints.

In response, a TikTok spokesperson stated that the platform already implements over 50 default privacy and security measures for minors, including the disabling of direct messaging for younger users. The company, owned by the Chinese firm ByteDance, emphasized its commitment to child safety and expressed its intention to continue cooperating constructively with the European Commission. The investigation remains ongoing, and failure to address these regulatory concerns could lead to the imposition of significant financial penalties under European law.