MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Protecting minors from targeted online advertising – E-000639/2025

Question for written answer  E-000639/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Catherine Griset (PfE)

Minors are being targeted by advertising on social media, which makes use of both algorithms that personalise adverts and the secrecy around business collaboration (including that of influencers) to do so.

However, online platforms are prohibited from showing minors targeted advertising that is based on profiling using their personal data[1].

• 1.Other than the option users have to report such advertising, how does the Commission intend to stop the use of targeted, and even addictive[2], algorithms in order to protect minors?
• 2.Has the Commission also considered ways of making online advertising more transparent, such as by preventing business collaboration from being kept secret?
• 3.What would happen if, as a result of these platforms targeting minors, hackers were able to harvest their data?

Submitted: 12.2.2025

• [1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2024-002427-ASW_EN.html
• [2] This specific point was raised in a previous question, but went unanswered: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2024-002427_EN.html