Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1516210
7 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 21 FEBRUARY 2024 NEWS MATTHEW VELLA mvella@mediatoday.com.mt This article is part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. This article reflects only the author's view. The action was co-financed by the European Union in the frame of the European Parliament's grant programme in the field of communication. The European Parliament was not involved in its preparation and is, in no case, responsible for or bound by the information or opinions expressed in the context of this action. In accordance with applicable law, the authors, interviewed people, publishers or programme broadcasters are solely responsible. The European Parliament can also not be held liable for direct or indirect damage that may result from the implementation of the action. Brussels opens probe into TikTok algorithms after MEPs call for investigation THE European Commission has opened formal proceed- ings to assess whether TikTok may have breached the Digital Services Act (DSA) in areas linked to the protection of mi- nors, advertising transparency, data access for researchers, as well as the risk management of addictive design and harmful content. In 2023, MEPs highlighted the risks of economic depend- ence, espionage and sabotage, when foreign companies ac- quire influence over EU critical infrastructure. Apart from Chinese shipping companies acquiring majority or sizeable interests in over 20 European ports, MEPs recom- mended banning TikTok at all levels of national government and in the EU institutions. On the basis of the prelimi- nary investigation conducted so far, including on the basis of an analysis of the risk assess- ment report sent by TikTok in September 2023, as well as TikTok's replies to the Com- mission's formal requests for information, the Commission has decided to open formal proceedings against TikTok under the Digital Services Act. The proceedings will focus DSA compliance on actual or foreseeable negative effects stemming from the design of TikTok's system, including al- gorithmic systems that may stimulate behavioural addic- tions and/ or create so-called 'rabbit hole effects'. Such assessment is required to counter potential risks for the exercise of the fundamental right to the person's physical and mental well-being, the re- spect of the rights of the child as well as its impact on radical- isation processes. Other concerns include com- pliance with DSA obligations to put in place appropriate and proportionate measures to ensure a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors; a searchable and reliable repos- itory for advertisements pre- sented on TikTok; and meas- ures to increase transparency of its platform. After the formal opening of proceedings, the Commission will continue to gather evi- dence, for example by sending additional requests for infor- mation, conducting interviews or inspections. The opening of formal pro- ceedings empowers the Com- mission to take further enforce- ment steps, such as interim measures, and non-compliance decisions. The Commission is also empowered to accept any commitment made by TikTok to remedy on the matters sub- ject to the proceeding. TikTok was designated as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) on 25 April 2023 un- der the EU's Digital Services Act, following its declaration of having 135.9 million month- ly active users in the EU. As a VLOP, four months from its designation, TikTok had to start complying with a series of obligations set out in the DSA. In 2023, Amnesty Interna- tional's research showed that TikTok can draw children's accounts into dangerous rabbit holes of content that roman- ticizes self-harm and suicide within an hour of signing up on the platform. "Children and young people also felt their TikTok use af- fected their schoolwork and social time with friends and led them to scroll through their feeds late at night instead of catching enough sleep," Am- nesty said, welcoming the in- vestigation. "By design, TikTok aims to maximize engagement, which systemically undermines chil- dren's rights. It is essential that TikTok takes urgent ac- tion to address these systemic risks. Children and young users should be offered the right to access safe platforms, and the protection of these rights can- not wait any longer." In 2023, MEPs highlighted the risks to privacy from the Chinese- developed social media platform and recommended banning TikTok at all levels of national government and in the EU institutions