YouTube, TikTok must detail child protection measures by Nov. 30, EU says

Alphabet’s YouTube and TikTok have been given a Nov. 30 deadline by the European Union to reply to an information request on how they protect children from illegal and harmful content, the European Commission said on Thursday.

The Commission is requesting more information on the measures the companies have taken to step up their efforts to protect minors in order to comply with the bloc’s new rule book for Big Tech, the Digital Services Act.

Google and TikTok did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Reuters on Wednesday reported EU industry chief Thierry Breton was planning the move.

The information request comes days after Breton told TikTok Chief Executive Officer Shou Zi Chew to spare no effort to counter disinformation on its platform, owned by China’s ByteDance.

Breton recently also reminded Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai of the company’s obligation to protect children and teenagers.

Companies face fines as much as six per cent of their global turnovers or DSA violations.

“Based on the assessment of the replies, the Commission will assess next steps,” the Commission said.