EU Accuses Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok of Violating Digital Services Act, Threatens Massive Fines

The European Commission has issued preliminary findings accusing Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok of breaching the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), a move that could result in multi-billion-euro fines for the tech giants.

Released on Friday, the findings allege that the three platforms failed to provide researchers with adequate access to data as required under the DSA. This data access is intended to allow independent researchers to study online harms such as content that glorifies violence or endangers children.

The Commission further claims that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, lacks effective systems for users to report illegal content or appeal moderation decisions.

Should the EU confirm the violations, the companies could face fines of up to 6 percent of their global annual revenue.

“Democracies rely on trust. Platforms must empower users, respect their rights, and open their systems to scrutiny,” said European Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen. She added that the ongoing investigation ensures that “platforms remain accountable to both users and society.”

The findings form part of a broader EU investigation launched in 2024 into Meta and TikTok’s compliance with online safety and transparency obligations. Meta is also facing separate scrutiny over concerns that its algorithms may expose minors to addictive and harmful content.

Brussels officials have reportedly grown frustrated with Meta’s lack of cooperation, and the release of these preliminary results may serve as pressure in the stalled negotiations with the U.S. company.

The move could also strain relations between Brussels and Washington, as U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the EU’s digital regulations as anti-competitive. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who has recently aligned more closely with Trump’s political camp, is expected to face intensified scrutiny as the case progresses.