EU accuses TikTok, Meta of violating transparency rules under digital law

Published: Friday, October 24, 2025 at 2:18 pm

EU Accuses Meta and TikTok of Digital Services Act Violations

Brussels, Belgium – The European Union has accused social media giants Meta and TikTok of violating transparency rules outlined in the Digital Services Act (DSA). The European Commission, the EU's executive body, announced Friday that it has preliminarily found both companies in breach of their legal obligations.

The primary accusation centers on the companies' alleged failure to provide researchers with "adequate access" to publicly available data. The Commission cited "burdensome procedures" that hinder researchers, leading to "partial or unreliable data." This, according to the EU, impacts the ability to study issues such as the exposure of users, including minors, to illegal or harmful content.

Furthermore, the Commission alleges that Meta, specifically for Instagram and Facebook, has failed to provide users with simple mechanisms to report illegal content and effectively challenge content moderation decisions.

Henna Virkkunen, the EU's executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security, and democracy, emphasized the importance of transparency for maintaining trust in democracies. She stated that the DSA mandates platforms to empower users, respect their rights, and open their systems to scrutiny.

Both companies have responded to the accusations. A Meta spokesperson stated the company disagrees with the suggestion of breaching the DSA and is actively negotiating with the Commission. Meta highlighted changes made to its content reporting options, appeals process, and data access tools since the DSA came into effect. TikTok, in a statement to CNBC, expressed its commitment to transparency and the value of researchers' contributions. The company also noted "substantial investments" in data sharing and is reviewing the Commission's findings. TikTok also raised concerns about potential conflicts between the DSA and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The DSA, a landmark piece of legislation, aims to regulate the power and influence of large tech firms. While intended to promote transparency and accountability, some free speech advocates have raised concerns about potential privacy implications.

BNN's Perspective:

The EU's actions highlight the ongoing struggle to balance the benefits of social media with the need for responsible platform governance. While the DSA is a crucial step in ensuring accountability, it's essential to strike a balance that protects user rights and fosters innovation. The concerns raised by both Meta and TikTok regarding data access and potential conflicts with GDPR underscore the complexity of this task. A pragmatic approach that considers the needs of both researchers and platforms is necessary to achieve the DSA's goals effectively.

Keywords: EU, Meta, TikTok, Digital Services Act, DSA, transparency, data access, illegal content, content moderation, GDPR, European Commission, social media, regulations, privacy, Henna Virkkunen, research, accountability

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