EU opens probe into Snapchat over child safety and digital services act compliance

The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into Snapchat to assess whether the platform complies with the European Union’s Digital Services Act, focusing on protections for minors related to safety, privacy, and security.

The inquiry centers on concerns that Snapchat may be exposing children to risks including grooming attempts and recruitment into criminal activities. The Commission is also examining whether the platform facilitates access to information linked to the sale of illegal or age-restricted goods such as drugs, vaping products, and alcohol.

Snapchat, a photo and messaging platform operated by Snap Inc., faces scrutiny across five key areas. Regulators are evaluating the company’s age-verification systems to determine how effectively it prevents children under 13 from accessing the service.

The investigation will also assess whether safeguards are in place to protect minors from harmful content, interactions with adults who may pose risks, and other online threats. Officials are examining whether default account settings provide adequate levels of safety and privacy, particularly for younger users.

Concerns have also been raised about whether users are given sufficient guidance on privacy controls during account setup, including clear explanations of how to adjust safety-related settings.

In addition, the Commission is reviewing Snapchat’s content moderation systems to determine whether they effectively prevent the spread of material linked to illegal or banned products. The inquiry will further evaluate whether reporting mechanisms for illegal content are accessible and user-friendly, or if design elements may discourage or complicate their use.

“From grooming and exposure to illegal products to account settings that undermine minors’ safety, Snapchat appears to have overlooked that the Digital Services Act demands high safety standards for all users,” said Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission’s executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security, and democracy. “With this investigation, we will closely look into their compliance with our legislation.”

The Commission has not provided a timeline for completing the investigation or announcing its findings.