European Union Opens Investigation Into Snapchat Over Child Safety Concerns

European regulators have launched a formal investigation into Snapchat, alleging the social media platform fails to adequately protect children from predators and illegal product sales. The probe falls under the EU's Digital Services Act, which could result in fines up to 6% of the company's global revenue.

European Union regulators announced Thursday they are launching a formal investigation into Snapchat over allegations the social media platform is not doing enough to safeguard children from predators and block the sale of illegal products.

The investigation falls under the European Union’s Digital Services Act, legislation that mandates major online platforms strengthen their efforts to combat harmful and illegal content or face penalties of up to 6% of their worldwide annual revenue.

EU technology commissioner Henna Virkkunen criticized the platform’s safety measures in an official statement, saying “From grooming and exposure to illegal products to account settings that undermine minors’ safety, Snapchat appears to have overlooked that the Digital Services Act demands high safety standards for all users.”

The European Commission, which enforces the digital services legislation, expressed concerns that Snapchat lacks adequate protection measures to stop children from being approached by individuals seeking to sexually exploit them or involve them in criminal behavior.

Regulators also determined that the platform’s content monitoring systems fail to effectively block information directing users toward purchasing illegal substances like drugs or age-restricted items including vaping products and alcoholic beverages.

The Commission announced it will assume control of an investigation that Dutch authorities began in September regarding vape sales to minors through the Snapchat platform.

Additional issues flagged by EU officials include the platform’s age verification system, which they deemed inadequate, problematic default privacy settings, and insufficient tools for users to report manipulative design features.