TikTok Under Increased Scrutiny in Europe
TikTok is facing mounting pressure in the EU as concerns rise over the "SkinnyTok" trend and potential restrictions on underage access to social media platforms.
"SkinnyTok" Trend Raises Concerns
The "SkinnyTok" trend, often amplified by TikTok's algorithm, features videos promoting potentially unhealthy body image and dieting habits. These videos, including "what I eat in a day" posts with low calorie counts and body comparison clips, are raising alarms among regulators.
"SkinnyTok has become a hot spot for videos glamorizing rapid weight loss...often served up automatically by TikTok’s recommendation system," reports Politico.
The EU Commission is investigating the potential impact of this trend, which could lead to further restrictions on the content TikTok amplifies and potentially alter its algorithmic workings.
Proposed Restrictions on Underage Social Media Access
Several EU nations, led by Greece, are proposing restrictions on social media access for children. The proposal would require parental consent for children under a certain age to access social media apps, potentially impacting platforms like TikTok and Snapchat significantly.
France is considering setting the age restriction at 16, mirroring similar moves by the Australian government. This could significantly reduce TikTok's user base in these regions.
These proposed restrictions come as TikTok already faces scrutiny over data privacy and has been fined for transferring EU user data to China. Despite investing billions in new regional data centers, further restrictions on user access could jeopardize TikTok's future in Europe.
TikTok's Future in the EU
With its future in the US also uncertain, TikTok relies heavily on the European market. The platform will likely need to comply with any new regulations to maintain its presence in the EU. However, growing concerns about its algorithm and content moderation practices pose significant challenges.
While TikTok guards its algorithmic secrets, investigations like this could force the company to balance its addictive nature with evolving regulations and user safety concerns.
