EC finds Meta and TikTok breached transparency rules under DSA

The European Commission has issued preliminary findings that Meta and TikTok have violated the Digital Services Act (DSA). The core issue is the alleged failure of both social media giants to provide researchers with sufficient access to public data, as mandated by the DSA. This development underscores the EU's commitment to enforcing its stringent digital regulations. The DSA requires very large online platforms to grant vetted researchers access to their public data, facilitating independent analysis of platform risks. The Commission's investigation focused on whether Meta and TikTok are adequately sharing data to assess content moderation, algorithmic amplification, and other systemic risks. These preliminary findings highlight the initial stage of enforcement, and the companies now have the opportunity to respond. This non-compliance finding directly impacts researchers studying the societal effects of these platforms. Furthermore, it has broader implications for digital platform accountability and transparency across the EU. The Commission’s actions signal a determination to hold large tech companies responsible for adhering to the DSA's transparency requirements, regardless of their size or influence.