Source: European Parliament
10.10.2024
Question for written answer E-002014/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Pascal Arimont (PPE)
On 8 October 2024, several states in the US filed lawsuits against TikTok in their respective courts. The actions relate inter alia to manipulative features on TikTok that exploit young people’s psychological vulnerability, in particular the proposed beauty filters, which inter alia are suspected of reinforcing unrealistic beauty ideals, undermining users’ self-confidence and causing body image disorders.
In addition, in March 2024 the competent Italian authority fined TikTok for breaches of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. The ruling also addressed questions as to the platform’s responsibility for addictive design practices, in particular vis-à-vis young people.
In this context, the Digital Fairness Fitness Check published on 3 October 2024, which assesses the three consumer protection directives forming the EU consumer protection framework – on unfair commercial practices (2005/29/EC), on consumer rights (2011/83/EU) and on unfair terms in consumer contracts(93/13/EEC) – is of particular importance. For instance, the assessment makes express reference to problems faced by users in the digital environment, including the misleading and addictive designs and functions of user interfaces, which can only be partially covered by the consumer protection framework.
In the light of the above, what specific legislative measures is the Commission considering so as to safeguard young people more effectively against problematic practices such as beauty filters and digital dependency?
Submitted: 10.10.2024