European Commission Investigates Snapchat Under Digital Services Act

The European Commission has initiated formal proceedings against Snapchat to investigate its compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA), specifically concerning child protection online. The investigation will assess whether Snapchat has adequately protected minors from grooming, recruitment for criminal activities, and exposure to illegal or age-restricted products like drugs, vapes, and alcohol. This action signifies a substantive enforcement step under the DSA, focusing on the platform's responsibilities towards vulnerable users.

Compliance officers for online platforms, particularly those with a significant minor user base, should monitor this investigation closely. While no specific compliance deadline is provided, the focus on potential breaches of the DSA highlights the need to ensure robust child safety measures, age verification processes, and content moderation policies are in place and effectively implemented. Failure to comply with DSA obligations can lead to significant fines.