EU launches probe against U.S. tech giants

The European Commission has launched a probe into U.S. tech giants, Apple, Google, YouTube, and Snapchat, over alleged failure to protect minors online.

EU Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen said on Friday that the companies may have breached the Digital Services Act (DSA) by not ensuring adequate privacy and safety for children.

“EU law is clear — minors must have a very high level of privacy and security online. This is not always the case,” Virkkunen said at a meeting of EU telecom ministers in Horsens, Denmark.

Brussels is demanding detailed information from the four platforms to assess how they protect young users.

If violations are confirmed, the companies could face fines of up to 6% of their global revenue.

The EU suspects YouTube’s age checks are easy to bypass and that its algorithms may promote addictive content to minors.
It also wants answers from Apple and Google on whether children can access gambling apps through their stores, and from Snapchat over claims that underage users can buy drugs on the platform.

The DSA requires tech platforms to swiftly remove illegal content and protect users, with tougher rules for larger firms.

Virkkunen stressed that while “kids have the right to connect and access information,” online platforms must ensure their safety.

Tensions have risen between Brussels and Washington over the law, with U.S. President Donald Trump recently calling the EU’s digital rules “anti-competitive.”