EU probes Meta, TikTok, and X on harmful content removal efforts

The European Commission said on Thursday that it had not launched formal investigations into efforts by Meta, TikTok and X to remove harmful content from their platforms, confirming it had so far sent them requests for information.

“There is no new development. The Commission sent formal requests for information to X, Meta and TikTok. These are not to be confused with a potential launch of proceedings,” a Commission spokesperson told Reuters in an email.

Earlier, EU industry chief Thierry Breton said in an interview with French radio station France Inter that he had launched investigations into three tech platforms, including X.

A TikTok spokesperson confirmed on Thursday that it received the request for information (RFI) last week and said that the company fully intends to respond.

The tech giants have faced mounting scrutiny in recent weeks, with a surge in harmful content and disinformation in the wake of the Hamas attack on Israel.

Under the European Union’s sweeping Digital Services Act, very large tech platforms and search engines must do more to tackle illegal content and risks to public security, and to protect their services against manipulative techniques. Reuters