The European Commission has accused social media giants Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok of violating key provisions of the European Union’s Digital Services Act, DSA, raising the possibility of significant fines if the platforms fail to comply.
According to preliminary findings released in Brussels on Friday, the Commission said that Meta — the parent company of Facebook and Instagram — and Chinese-owned TikTok have failed to provide sufficient data access for independent researchers, as required under the DSA.
The DSA, which took effect in 2024, mandates large online platforms to ensure transparency and accountability by allowing verified researchers to access data that can be used to study issues such as misinformation, harmful content, and child protection.
EU officials said the lack of cooperation from the platforms limits scientists’ ability to investigate how content promoting violence or child abuse circulates online.
The Commission also accused Meta of not offering users simple tools to report illegal content or appeal moderation decisions.
If the findings are confirmed, the companies could face penalties of up to six percent of their global annual revenue — a sum that could reach several billions of dollars given Meta’s and TikTok’s vast earnings.
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“Our democracies depend on trust,” said European Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen. “Platforms must empower users, respect their rights, and open their systems to scrutiny. These preliminary findings are ensuring accountability as required by EU law.”
The Commission’s statement is part of a broader investigation launched in 2024 into how large technology platforms manage user safety, transparency, and compliance with European digital regulations.
Meta, in particular, is under scrutiny over concerns that its algorithms may exploit addictive patterns among minors, violating child protection standards under the same law.
Officials in Brussels have expressed growing frustration at Meta’s reluctance to share internal data, suggesting that Friday’s findings may be intended to pressure the U.S. company into cooperation.
The move could heighten diplomatic tensions with Washington, especially given U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism of the DSA, which he has described as unfair to American technology firms.
Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has also been seen aligning more closely with Trump’s political circle, further complicating the relationship.
The Commission’s final ruling will depend on the companies’ responses to the allegations and their willingness to make corrective adjustments in the coming weeks.
NAN
