EU Investigates Snapchat and Adult Websites for Child Safety Failures

Brussels has launched an investigation into Snapchat, addressing serious concerns that the social messaging app is inadvertently facilitating the grooming and sexual exploitation of children among other criminal activities. Simultaneously, the European Commission has highlighted issues with four adult websites that allegedly failed to restrict minors from accessing inappropriate content. This inquiry into five technology companies falls under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) which has attracted criticism, notably from former President Donald Trump, since its implementation two years ago. The DSA aims to safeguard European citizens against a range of online harms, incorporating child safety regulations intended to combat cyberbullying, exposure to adult material, and the promotion of illegal products. The investigations came on the heels of a landmark ruling by a Los Angeles court, which found that prominent social media platforms, including Meta and YouTube, had intentionally designed addictive features that adversely affected younger users. In light of these findings, the EU is considering the possibility of emulating Australia by enforcing a ban on social media platforms for users under the age of 16. In a decisive move, the European Commission initiated its first investigation against Snapchat, suspecting that the app’s design and functionality may be misused by adult users posing as minors to exploit children sexually and engage in other illicit activities. There is also apprehension that Snapchat serves as a conduit for information regarding drugs and age-restricted products such as alcohol and vaping devices. The platform has reported approximately 947 million monthly users in the EU, showing significant appeal among teenagers and young adults. While Snapchat maintains that users must be at least 13 years old to use its services, EU regulators are concerned that the company is not effectively enforcing this age restriction. They also allege that users lack sufficient guidance regarding privacy and safety features, and that the mechanisms for reporting illegal content are not user-friendly. As a result of this investigation, EU regulators will conduct a comprehensive analysis and can mandate Snapchat to implement preventive measures to enhance child safety while awaiting a conclusive decision. A spokesperson from Snapchat has stated that the safety and well-being of their users is paramount. They emphasized that the app is designed to foster communication among trusted friends and family, with privacy and safety integrated from the outset, including enhanced protections for teenage users. The spokesperson added, "As online risks evolve, we continuously review, strengthen, and invest in these safeguards." In a related development, the European Commission has targeted four pornographic websites—Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos—accusing them of not adequately preventing minors from accessing adult content. An investigation that began last May concluded that these websites did not sufficiently identify and assess the risks their platforms pose to children. Currently, minors could easily access these sites merely by clicking a button affirming they are over the age of 18, a self-declaration system deemed ineffective by EU authorities. The companies concerned may now review the investigation's findings before a final ruling is made. They may avoid further consequences by implementing effective forms of age verification as determined by EU regulators. Should the complaints be validated, these adult websites could face penalties of up to 6% of their global annual revenue. The parent companies of Pornhub and Stripchat have been approached for comments, as has a Brussels-based lawyer known to have previously represented the companies behind XNXX and XVideos in EU legal matters. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2