Ireland Investigates TikTok and LinkedIn for Reporting Violations

Ireland has initiated an investigation into whether social media platforms TikTok and LinkedIn have breached European Union regulations concerning the reporting of illegal online content. The probe, announced by Dublin’s digital regulator on November 14, 2023, focuses on the accessibility and user-friendliness of the companies’ content reporting mechanisms.

Digital Services Commissioner John Evans stated, “There is reason to suspect that their illegal content reporting mechanisms are not easy to access or user-friendly, do not allow people to report child sexual abuse material anonymously, and that the design of their interfaces may deter people from reporting content as illegal.” These potential shortcomings represent a failure to comply with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), a significant piece of legislation aimed at enhancing online safety that came into effect in December 2023.

The DSA imposes stricter requirements on major technology platforms operating within the EU. In theory, TikTok and LinkedIn could face fines of up to six percent of their global annual revenues if found in violation of these rules. While the European Commission oversees much of the regulation under the DSA, national authorities are responsible for monitoring platforms based in their jurisdictions.

Both TikTok and LinkedIn maintain their headquarters in Ireland, which has already opened a separate investigation into Elon Musk’s X platform concerning its moderation practices. A spokesperson for TikTok confirmed awareness of the investigation, stating, “We are committed to keeping our platform safe and meeting our obligations under the DSA.” The spokesperson added that the company plans to engage fully with the regulator during this process.

The investigation comes at a time when scrutiny over social media platforms is intensifying, particularly regarding how effectively they manage illegal content. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, regulators are under pressure to ensure that user safety is prioritized and that platforms adhere to established legal frameworks.

With the potential for significant penalties looming, both TikTok and LinkedIn face a critical moment in their operations within the EU. The outcomes of this investigation could shape the future of content moderation practices and user engagement strategies across the industry.