The U.S. is not the one place that has issues with TikTok.

In a Monday press launch, the European Fee (the EU’s govt department) introduced a proper probe into TikTok’s compliance (or lack thereof) with the Digital Providers Act. The act, which was accepted late final 12 months and went into impact on Jan. 1, exists to legislate in opposition to issues like unlawful content material, disinformation, and focused promoting.

The press launch features a helpful bullet-point record of issues the EU is trying into, resembling TikTok’s potential use of algorithmic techniques to encourage addictive habits, or what it calls a “rabbit gap impact.” In different phrases, they’re fearful about if TikTok does an excessive amount of to pressure you to maintain taking a look at it. Different factors of concern embrace privateness and security for minors, promoting transparency, and correct age verification for customers.

The investigation will dive into whether or not TikTok is successfully defending kids, highlighting age verification as a doubtlessly inadequate safeguard.

If TikTok is discovered to be in violation of any DSA insurance policies, it could should fork over as a lot as 6 % of its annual turnover, per TechCrunch. In an announcement given to TechCrunch, TikTok stated it can cooperate with the investigation, claiming it has already responded to earlier European Fee requests and even put ahead plans for its little one security individuals to satisfy with EU officers. Based on TikTok, these strikes haven’t been met with response from the Fee.

That is heavy stuff for an app that is largely individuals doing viral dances.