On May 9, 2025, the European Commission announced a preliminary finding that the Chinese-owned social network TikTok, operated by ByteDance, may have violated the EU Digital Services Act (DSA). The alleged violation concerns the absence of a public archive of advertisements, which is required to track the sources and targets of digital ad campaigns.
Should these preliminary findings be confirmed, TikTok could face a fine of up to 6% of its global turnover. In an official statement, EU Digital Commissioner Henna Virkkunen noted: “Transparency in online advertising – who pays for it and how the target audience is determined – is essential to protect the public interest.”
The DSA, which came into effect in 2024, mandates that major digital platforms provide a publicly accessible archive of advertising content. This requirement aims to help detect fraud, disinformation, and coordinated manipulation, particularly in sensitive periods such as elections. We’ll keep you updated as more developments arise in this case.
Wider Context of TikTok’s Legal Challenges
The investigation is not an isolated incident. TikTok is currently facing several parallel proceedings within the European Union. One of the ongoing cases relates to potential interference in the 2024 elections in Romania, adding to the regulatory scrutiny the platform is experiencing across multiple fronts.
Earlier in May, TikTok was fined €530 million by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission, reminds NIXSOLUTIONS. The penalty was issued for the platform’s transfer of European user data to China. In response, TikTok representatives warned that such regulatory measures could have negative implications for any company conducting international operations in Europe.
These actions are part of a broader tightening of EU regulations targeting social media platforms. Authorities are increasingly concerned about issues such as foreign influence, the safeguarding of personal data, and the dissemination of false or misleading information. TikTok, in particular, remains under close examination due to its ownership by the Chinese firm ByteDance.
As regulatory developments continue to unfold, we’ll keep you updated on TikTok’s position and any further decisions by EU bodies regarding compliance with digital platform laws.