The European Union is tightening its regulatory grip on major technology platforms, with Meta Platforms and TikTok now facing preliminary findings that they breached transparency and user-protection rules under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The findings, released this week by the European Commission, mark a significant escalation in Europe’s efforts to hold Big Tech accountable for how they handle illegal content, misinformation, and data transparency. While the investigations remain ongoing, they underscore a broader shift — from voluntary compliance to firm legal enforcement.
According to the Commission, both Meta and TikTok may have failed to provide effective systems for users to flag illegal content and limited researchers’ access to platform data, which is essential for assessing online risks such as hate speech or disinformation.
The Commission emphasized that these are preliminary conclusions — meaning neither company has been formally sanctioned yet. Both Meta and TikTok have been invited to respond and may still present corrective measures before any final ruling is made.
Meta said it “remains committed to complying with the DSA” and highlighted ongoing updates to its reporting and transparency tools. TikTok similarly stated that it is “working closely with regulators” to ensure full alignment with European rules.
The DSA is part of a broader European framework designed to increase accountability among major online platforms. It requires companies to provide transparent algorithms, accessible reporting tools, and open data channels for independent oversight.
Regulators have also launched investigations into X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube, signaling that scrutiny will extend well beyond any single platform. The move represents a clear shift in Brussels’ approach: Big Tech’s self-regulation is no longer enough.
“We are committed to enforcing the DSA to its full extent,” said EU Commissioner Thierry Breton. “These platforms have a duty to protect users and provide transparency.”
While the Commission’s recent findings under the DSA are still under review, Meta was separately fined €200 million earlier this year under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) — a parallel EU law focusing on competition and market dominance.
That fine was unrelated to the current DSA investigation, which concerns content governance and user transparency obligations. This distinction highlights how the EU is now deploying multiple legal tools to oversee different aspects of the digital ecosystem — from competition to consumer protection.
Meta and TikTok will now have the opportunity to respond to the Commission’s preliminary conclusions. If regulators confirm the breaches, both companies could face fines of up to 6% of their global annual turnover, or be required to make significant changes to their content-moderation systems.
The final decisions are expected in the coming months and are likely to set important precedents for how the DSA will be enforced across the tech industry.
Europe’s digital laws are quickly becoming a global benchmark. As the world’s largest single regulatory market, the EU’s enforcement actions are likely to influence policies across Asia, the United States, and Latin America.
For global technology companies, the message is increasingly clear: Europe is setting the rules of the digital future — and compliance is no longer optional.
The EU’s latest findings against Meta and TikTok may still be preliminary, but they reflect a clear direction of travel: tougher oversight, greater transparency, and real consequences for non-compliance.
For Brussels, this is more than regulation — it’s a statement of digital sovereignty.
For Big Tech, it’s a warning that the days of self-policing are coming to an end.
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