BRUSSELS (FN) — The European Commission on Friday accused Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok of violating the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), citing failures to provide adequate data access for researchers and insufficient mechanisms for reporting illegal content.
The preliminary findings, part of an ongoing probe launched in 2024, could result in fines of up to 6% of the companies’ global annual revenue if violations are confirmed. Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, and also operates TikTok in the EU, now has the opportunity to respond or make platform adjustments to avoid penalties.
Commission officials said the platforms failed to offer researchers meaningful access to public data, hindering investigations into harmful content, including material glorifying violence against children. Meta was also cited for lacking user-friendly tools to report illegal content and appeal moderation decisions.
“Our democracies depend on trust,” said European Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen. “That means platforms must empower users, respect their rights, and open their systems to scrutiny.”
The findings sparked swift reactions across Europe and beyond. French Digital Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called the report “a wake-up call for global tech accountability,” while Germany’s Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs urged “immediate compliance or consequences.” In Ireland, where Meta’s European headquarters is based, officials said they would “closely monitor the company’s response.”
In the United States, the White House declined to comment directly but reiterated its support for “transparent and responsible tech governance.” Meanwhile, Canadian Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the EU’s move “sets a precedent for democratic oversight of digital platforms.”
Users across social media expressed frustration and concern. “We deserve to know how these platforms shape our behavior,” tweeted one researcher in Amsterdam. Others called for boycotts or demanded stronger privacy protections.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg responded in a brief statement, saying, “We’re reviewing the Commission’s findings and remain committed to working with regulators to improve transparency.” ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, said it “takes user safety seriously and will engage constructively with EU authorities.”
The case also risks escalating political tensions. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized EU digital regulations as anti-competitive, and Zuckerberg has grown closer to Trump’s political camp in recent months.
The Commission’s findings come amid broader concerns about child safety online. Meta is separately under investigation for allegedly exposing minors to addictive algorithms and failing to implement sufficient safeguards.
The Commission said its assessments aim to ensure platforms are accountable under EU law and uphold their responsibilities to users and society. Final decisions on enforcement are expected in the coming months.
