The European Commission has demanded information from U.S. tech giants Apple, Google, YouTube, and Snapchat over alleged failures to adequately protect children online, Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen said on Friday.
Speaking ahead of a meeting of EU telecommunications ministers in Horsens, Virkkunen said European law requires platforms to guarantee “very high levels of privacy, security, and safety” for minors — a standard she suggested is not always being met.
The request is part of an investigation under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which sets out strict obligations for large online platforms to safeguard users and remove illegal content.
Commission officials are seeking details on measures taken by Snapchat, YouTube, Apple’s App Store, and Google Play to protect minors and ensure compliance. If regulators find evidence of non-compliance, they may open formal proceedings that could lead to fines of up to six percent of a company’s global turnover.
Among the concerns raised are claims that YouTube’s age restrictions are easily bypassed and that its algorithms may encourage addictive behavior among children. The Commission also wants clarity on whether gambling apps are accessible to minors via Apple’s and Google’s app stores.
Snapchat faces scrutiny over allegations that minors can purchase drugs on the platform and that it is failing to enforce its minimum age limit of 13.
In July, the Commission issued guidelines to help companies meet their child-protection duties under the DSA.
“The online world is a very important part of our everyday life,” Virkkunen said. “Kids have the right to access information and connect with friends, but online services have the responsibility to make sure they are safe.”
The DSA has strained relations between Brussels and Washington, with former U.S. President Donald Trump accusing the EU of using digital regulations to unfairly target American firms.
