
Popular video-sharing platform TikTok has expressed its disagreement with the decision of Italy’s antitrust authority to impose a hefty fine of 10 million euros. The fine was levied on the social media app over allegations of its failure to adequately safeguard minors and other vulnerable users from potentially harmful content.
A spokesperson for TikTok, a Chinese-owned company, addressed the issue on Thursday, asserting the platform’s stance against the antitrust decision. “We disagree with this decision,” the spokesperson stated, emphasizing TikTok’s commitment to user safety and well-being.
The spokesperson further elaborated on the specifics of the case, highlighting the minimal impact of the content in question. “The content linked to the so-called ‘French scar’ registered a daily average of just 100 searches per day in Italy before the Antitrust authority announced the start of its investigation last year,” they explained.
Moreover, TikTok underscored its proactive measures to mitigate the visibility of potentially harmful content, particularly among younger users. “We have long since reduced the visibility of such content to users under the age of 18, even excluding them from the ‘For You’ page,” the spokesperson added, emphasizing the platform’s efforts to create a safer online environment.
Related: US House Passes Bill to Force ByteDance’s Divestment of TikTok Assets
The statement reflects TikTok’s ongoing dedication to addressing concerns related to user safety and content moderation. The platform has been consistently enhancing its policies and implementing technological solutions to ensure a positive and secure experience for its diverse user base.
However, despite TikTok’s rebuttal, the antitrust authority’s decision underscores the growing scrutiny faced by social media platforms regarding their responsibility to protect vulnerable users from harmful content. This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges inherent in regulating digital platforms operating on a global scale, as authorities strive to strike a balance between innovation, freedom of expression, and user safety.
Source: Ansa
Featured News
Japan’s Prime Minister Criticizes US Block on Nippon Steel-US Steel Deal
Feb 17, 2025 by
CPI
UAE Cabinet Announces New Merger Control Filing Thresholds Effective March 2025
Feb 17, 2025 by
CPI
UK Regulator Warns Topps Tiles Acquisition Could Hurt Competition
Feb 17, 2025 by
CPI
FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson Backs Trump’s Authority to Remove Commissioners
Feb 17, 2025 by
CPI
South Korea Suspends Downloads of Chinese AI App DeepSeek Over Data Privacy Concerns
Feb 17, 2025 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – International Criminal Enforcement
Jan 23, 2025 by
CPI
The Antitrust Division’s Recent Work to Combat International Cartels
Jan 23, 2025 by
Emma Burnham & Benjamin Christenson
Information Sharing: The New Frontier of U.S. Antitrust Enforcement
Jan 23, 2025 by
Brian P. Quinn, Casey Kovarik & Michael Tubach
The Key Role of Guidelines on Exchanges of Information Among Competitors and the Divergent Transatlantic Paths
Jan 23, 2025 by
Rosa Abrantes-Metz & Albert Metz
Leniency, Whistleblowers, and Compliance
Jan 23, 2025 by
Richard Powers, Tara O’Malley & Cory Gordon