TikTok Agrees to Boost EU Consumers’ Rights, Averts Possible Sanctions

Chinese-owned brief video-sharing app TikTok has agreed to spice up European Union customers’ rights, EU regulators stated on Tuesday, averting attainable sanctions in a case sparked by a number of complaints from client teams within the bloc.

The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) in its 2021 grievance stated TikTok, which has seen fast development worldwide, significantly amongst youngsters, failed to guard youngsters from hidden promoting and inappropriate content material.

The firm subsequently held discussions with the European Commission and the nationwide community of client safety authorities in an try and resolve the considerations and now has agreed to plenty of adjustments, the EU govt stated.

These embrace the introduction of an extra possibility permitting customers to simply report adverts that might doubtlessly encourage youngsters to purchase items or companies or persuade their mother and father or others to purchase them for them.

Branded content material won’t be allowed to advertise inappropriate services and products. Among different commitments, the corporate will make clear get rewards from its platform, and paid commercials in movies might be extra clearly labelled.

“All social media platforms are required to play by the rules and make sure that consumers can easily identify commercial content, including when promoted by influencers,” fee justice chief Didier Reynders said in an announcement.

TikTok stated it might proceed to enhance its options.

BEUC, nevertheless, stated TikTok’s provide fell brief in some areas.

“The impact of such commitments on consumers remains highly uncertain. Despite over a year of dialogue with TikTok, the investigation is now closed, leaving significant concerns that we raised unaddressed,” BEUC Deputy Director General Ursula Pachl stated in an announcement.

© Thomson Reuters 2022