EU Concludes First DSA Case Against TikTok

The European Commission has charged TikTok with violating the EU’s Digital Services Act by failing to provide a comprehensive and publicly accessible advertisement repository, which is required to help detect scam ads and disinformation, especially during elections. This repository also lacks transparency for researchers and the public regarding ad content, targeted users, and sponsors. The proceeding marks the first DSA-related case concluded against TikTok, though broader investigations continue into issues like addictive design, protection of minors, and researcher data access. TikTok now has an opportunity to respond to the findings and could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual turnover if violations are confirmed. The Commission is also investigating TikTok’s role in Romania’s contested elections and its overall compliance with DSA requirements. Other probes into major platforms under the DSA remain unresolved.