EU Accuses TikTok of Ad Transparency Violations

The European Union charged TikTok with breaching the Digital Services Act (DSA) on Thursday, citing inadequate transparency in its ad repository. The European Commission’s preliminary findings state TikTok’s database lacks comprehensive details on ad content, targeting, and sponsors, limiting researchers’ ability to detect scams, disinformation, or election-related threats. The DSA mandates platforms to disclose why users see specific ads and who funds them, aiming to curb risks like fake ads. TikTok’s non-compliant repository hampers these efforts, per the Commission. The EU conducts this investigation as it moves to control social media platforms while addressing international trade conflicts and economic instability that includes the UK’s 0.7% first quarter growth and the US tariff agreement that lowered tariffs to 30% and 10%. Digital trust issues are demonstrated by consumer caution which has led to a 60% delay in purchasing decisions. TikTok faces possible fines and operational modifications because the EU enforces its rules to protect users while platforms deal with regulatory and economic challenges in a turbulent worldwide environment.