EU says TikTok settings expose minors to online risks

The European Union on Friday accused TikTok of failing to protect children, saying its account settings expose minors to risks including unwanted contact, cyberbullying and predatory behaviour. The finding could put the company at risk of a large fine.

The EU said minors' accounts should be visible only to users they have accepted. Children aged 13 and over can use TikTok. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said in a statement that a high level of protection should be the default and not an opt-in choice.

TikTok said it was committed to protecting minors online.

Brussels began investigating Chinese-owned TikTok in 2024 under the Digital Services Act, a content law used by the EU to regulate large technology platforms. Under the DSA, children's account settings must have the strongest safety and security protections by default.

The EU said in its preliminary view that TikTok's settings do not meet that standard because they expose minors' accounts and content too widely. It said investigators found that minors can make their account public, allowing anyone with or without a TikTok account to see their content. The EU also said that even when children choose private accounts, they can be easily found through other users' following and followers lists.

Brussels told TikTok to change default settings for minors' public accounts so they are visible only to users accepted by the child.

A TikTok spokesperson said teen accounts have more than 50 preset privacy and safety features and said accounts for users under 18 are private by default. The spokesperson said TikTok would review the EU's preliminary findings and continue engaging with the bloc.

If the EU's view is confirmed, it can fine TikTok up to six percent of the company's total worldwide annual turnover. In February, the EU told TikTok to change what it called addictive design or face heavy fines. Meta has faced similar scrutiny after Brussels told it two weeks ago to change features including infinite scrolling.

The EU is also preparing broader measures on children's access to digital platforms. New rules expected later this year will ban children under 13 from using social media, according to the source. France this week became the first EU country to block social media for under-15s. Experts tasked by EU chief Ursula von der Leyen recommended earlier this month that the 27-country bloc prohibit children under 13 from having their own social media accounts. Von der Leyen is due to announce the EU's approach in September and has indicated support for the recommendation.

The EU is also preparing to roll out an age verification app across the bloc so platforms check users' ages before they access services.