The European Commission announced on October 24, 2025, that TikTok and Meta have been accused of failing to meet transparency obligations as outlined in the Digital Services Act (DSA). The investigation specifically identifies issues related to restricted researcher access to public data and, in Meta’s case, inadequate systems for reporting illegal content and appealing moderation decisions.
Story Highlights
- The EU has accused TikTok and Meta of violations of transparency rules under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
- Platforms are alleged to be restricting researcher access to public data, which hinders transparency efforts.
- Meta faces additional allegations regarding insufficient user mechanisms for reporting illegal content.
- Potential penalties for confirmed violations could include fines of up to 6% of annual turnover.
The European Commission’s investigation, initiated on October 24, 2025, focuses on two primary areas of non-compliance: the alleged limitation of researcher access to public data and, for Meta, concerns regarding the effectiveness of systems for reporting illegal content and appealing moderation decisions. This action is part of the EU’s ongoing efforts to ensure digital platforms adhere to the DSA’s provisions, which aim to protect user rights and hold large digital entities accountable.
EU accuses Meta and TikTok of breaching transparency rules https://t.co/nTgngFUQi4 pic.twitter.com/vPpKjJe5G3
— The Independent (@Independent) October 24, 2025
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is under scrutiny for its “Notice and Action” mechanisms, which are alleged to incorporate “dark patterns” that may complicate the process for users to report illegal content. Furthermore, the existing appeal mechanisms are reportedly insufficient, as they do not provide users with opportunities to submit explanations or evidence when disputing content removals or account suspensions. These findings suggest that Meta may need to revise its compliance strategies to avoid substantial financial penalties.
TikTok is specifically cited for allegedly limiting researcher access to its data, despite the company’s claims of significant investments in data sharing initiatives. TikTok’s defense reportedly highlights a potential conflict between the DSA’s transparency requirements and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This situation underscores the complexities platforms face in balancing multiple legal obligations, potentially necessitating a reevaluation of their operational frameworks to reconcile transparency with privacy concerns.
Non-compliance with the DSA carries severe financial implications, with potential fines reaching up to 6% of a company’s total worldwide annual turnover. For major corporations such as Meta and TikTok, these penalties could amount to billions of dollars. The Commission’s actions are seen as a precedent, emphasizing the EU’s commitment to enforcing transparency and user rights, and signaling to other platforms the importance of robust compliance mechanisms.
This enforcement action is considered significant for the future of the DSA, as it tests the regulation’s capacity to ensure compliance from major technology companies. The findings are expected to prompt platforms to enhance their systems to improve data access for researchers and to implement more user-friendly reporting mechanisms. While these companies review their operations, users may anticipate improved protections against illegal content, though the full impact of these enhancements remains to be observed.
Both Meta and TikTok have reportedly expressed disagreement with the EU’s preliminary findings, citing ongoing discussions with the Commission. They maintain that their current systems meet legal requirements. However, the preliminary findings suggest otherwise, and the platforms now have the opportunity to formally respond to the Commission’s claims, a process that could lead to further regulatory action depending on the outcomes of these negotiations.
Watch the report: Meta and TikTok Under Fire – EU Says They Violated Data Access Rules
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EU finds Meta and TikTok in breach of transparency rules
EU accuses TikTok, Meta of violating transparency rules under digital law
