Snapchat Faces Investigation Over Potential DSA Violations, Alleged Sale of Illegal Products to Minors
Brussels – Snapchat is under investigation by European regulators following concerns raised by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) regarding the potential sale of illegal products, including vapes, to minors on the platform. The investigation centers on possible violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA), landmark legislation designed to create a safer digital space for users.The ACM flagged “enough indications” of potential DSA breaches to prompt the inquiry,highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities in online safety measures for young people. The DSA places significant obligation on large online platforms to protect users,notably minors,from harmful and illegal content. Failure to comply can result in ample fines – up to 6% of a company’s global annual revenue.
Snap Inc., Snapchat’s parent company, acknowledged the investigation and stated its commitment to addressing the concerns. A Snap spokesperson affirmed the company has ”invested great resources to stop the authors to abuse our platform and to educate Snapchat users,” and continues to refine its “proactive detection technology.” The company also maintains it does not permit advertisements promoting vapes and actively attempts to block searches for illegal content.
despite these efforts, Snap Inc.conceded that eliminating all online and real-world threats is impossible. The company is cooperating with the European Commission throughout the investigation but has not provided a timeline for its completion or offered further details regarding the specific allegations.
