tech
Brussels opens investigation into Snapchat amid concern over children’s safety
European Commission says social messaging app is exposing children to grooming and sexual exploitation
TL;DR
- The European Commission is investigating Snapchat for alleged exposure of children to grooming, sexual exploitation, and criminality.
- The investigation, under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), also targets four pornographic websites for failing to prevent minors from accessing adult content.
- Regulators suspect Snapchat is misused by adults posing as minors and is a source of information on drugs and age-restricted products.
- Despite Snapchat's age requirement of 13, a significant number of younger children in EU countries are reportedly users, with concerns about inadequate privacy guidance and reporting mechanisms.
- Four pornographic websites (Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, XVideos) are accused of ineffective self-declaration age verification systems.
- Exposure to pornography at a young age is linked by regulators to mental health issues, negative gender attitudes, and increased tolerance of violent sexual behaviors.
- Companies found in violation of the DSA could face fines of up to 6% of their global annual turnover.