The European Commission has opened an investigation into Snapchat, suspected of not fully complying with the Digital Services Act (DSA). The social network is accused of not adequately protecting minors, particularly from the risks of sexual solicitation, criminal recruitment, or exposure to illegal content.
At the heart of the concerns is the issue of age verification. The self-declaration system used by the platform is deemed insufficient to prevent teenagers from accessing certain content or contacting malicious adults. Default settings are also criticized, as they could facilitate the identification and matching of young users.
Controversial moderation and tools
Brussels is also concerned about the spread of content related to the sale of drugs, alcohol, or e-cigarettes, which moderation mechanisms are struggling to contain. Reporting systems are considered unclear and difficult to access, while certain interface practices, akin to "dark patterns," could influence user behavior.
This procedure could lead to sanctions or impose significant changes on the platform. Snapchat states that it is cooperating with the authorities and assures that user safety is a priority, in a context where the European Union is strengthening the regulation of social networks, particularly for the protection of minors.
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