On Friday, EU asked tech giants Apple, Google, Snapchat, and YouTube to explain what steps they are taking to protect children online. The European Commission sent requests for information under the Digital Services Act to these companies, EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen told reporters before a meeting of EU ministers in Denmark.
EU questioning to Snapchat over children safety online
“Privacy, security, and safety must ensured. This is not always the case, which is why the commission is tightening the enforcement of our rules,” Virkkunen said. “Just today, we sent requests for information on four online platforms: Snapchat, YouTube, Apple Store, and Google Play. We want to see what practices they have in place to safeguard childrens online,” she said.
She did not provide further details but mentioned that the commission would release more information later on Friday. Before the meeting, Danish Digital Minister Caroline Stage Olsen claimed people were using Snapchat to sell drugs.
Some countries ban social media usage for children under 16 year age
The EU’s demands are not the first under the DSA. Brussels is also looking into Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, as well as TikTok, over concerns that they are not doing enough to combat the addictive nature of their platforms for children.
Inspired by Australia’s ban on social media include Snapchat for those under 16, Brussels is exploring whether such a measure could work in the 27-country bloc. Several states, including France and Spain, have pushed for limits on minors’ access to these platforms.
Read also: Indian Cricket Captain Rohit Sharma Buys Tesla Model Y with Personalized Plate number 3015