The EU has launched an investigation into several U.S. technology giants, including Apple, Google, YouTube, and Snapchat over concerns that they are failing to adequately protect children online.
The probe, announced on Friday by European Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, seeks detailed information from the companies regarding their compliance with the European Union’s Digital Services Act, a sweeping regulation aimed at ensuring online safety and accountability.
Speaking at a meeting of European Union telecommunications ministers in Horsens, Denmark, Virkkunen emphasized that European law demands “very high levels of privacy, security, and safety” for minors who use online platforms.
However, she noted that this requirement “is not always the case,” suggesting widespread gaps in how these platforms enforce child protection measures.
The commission has requested explanations from Apple’s App Store, Google’s Play Store, YouTube, and Snapchat on how they prevent minors from accessing harmful or illegal content.
Officials are particularly concerned that age restrictions are too easy to bypass, allowing children to access adult-oriented material, including gambling apps and inappropriate videos.
In the case of YouTube, regulators are also examining how its recommendation algorithms may foster addictive behavior among children.
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Similarly, Snapchat faces allegations that minors can purchase drugs through its platform and that the company fails to enforce its minimum age limit of 13 years.
If the European Commission finds violations after reviewing the companies’ responses, it could initiate formal proceedings under the DSA.
Penalties for confirmed breaches can be severe — up to 6 percent of a company’s global annual turnover.
The DSA, which came into effect in 2023, obliges major online platforms to remove illegal content swiftly, protect users’ privacy, and offer tools for reporting harmful material.
Larger platforms like Google, Apple, and Meta are subject to stricter oversight than smaller digital services.
To guide companies, the European Union issued child protection guidelines in July, outlining how to build safer online environments.
“The online world is a vital part of children’s lives,” Virkkunen said, “but it is also our collective responsibility to make sure they are protected.”
The growing tension between European regulators and U.S. tech firms has reignited debate about digital sovereignty.
U.S. officials, including former President Donald Trump, have criticized the EU’s policies as anti-competitive, arguing they unfairly target American innovation.
Still, the EU insists its stance is about accountability, not competition — a message it hopes will drive global standards for online child protection.
