EU Intensifies Oversight of Snapchat and Adult Sites Under Digital Services Act

The European Commission has taken decisive steps to improve child protection on major digital platforms, targeting both social media service Snapchat and several prominent adult entertainment websites under the regulations of the Digital Services Act (DSA).

Following a review of compliance among platforms with over 45 million users in the European Union, the Commission has expanded its investigation into Snapchat, focusing on its mechanisms for preventing underage access. Despite platform rules prohibiting users under 14, regulatory authorities question the effectiveness of these safeguards. Concerns have also been raised about the adequacy of protection for users aged 14 to 17, with the Commission noting the need for more robust measures in default settings, reporting systems, and shielding minors from harmful interactions.

The current investigation into Snapchat builds upon an earlier inquiry initiated by Dutch regulators regarding the sale of vaping products to minors via the platform. The EU-wide assessment now seeks to determine whether Snapchat's enforcement of age restrictions and protective mechanisms align with DSA requirements. The company will be given an opportunity to respond to the Commission's concerns and detail any additional steps it plans to take to enhance youth safety. Officials familiar with the process have indicated that while Snapchat faces its first formal EU investigation, the platform may be able to achieve compliance through targeted improvements.

In parallel, the Commission is nearing the imposition of fines on four major adult content providers--Pornhub, XNXX, XVideos, and Stripchat--over insufficient age verification practices. Current methods, which often require users to simply confirm their age with a click, have been deemed inadequate for preventing children from accessing explicit material. The Commission is pressing for the implementation of more effective, privacy-preserving age verification systems that do not require full identification but can reliably restrict access to adults.

One potential solution being explored is the "Mini-Wallet," a tool that allows users to prove their age on adult platforms without disclosing personal identity information. This measure is distinct from the upcoming EUDI-Wallet, which will be required across EU member states from next year. The Commission is collaborating with service providers to pilot such technologies, aiming to balance privacy with compliance and child safety.

National regulators continue to address similar issues with smaller adult content platforms operating below the 45 million user threshold, for which oversight remains a national responsibility. Since the DSA came into effect, the Commission has sought information from a range of digital service providers and has begun formal investigations in several cases. To date, only the European operator of X (formerly Twitter) has received actual penalties.

Additionally, the Commission acknowledges recent developments in the United States concerning the design of addictive digital interfaces, often referred to as "dark patterns." While European regulators are closely monitoring these legal actions, they affirm that the EU will pursue independent proceedings in accordance with its own legal framework.

The Commission's latest moves reflect a broader effort to ensure compliance with the DSA across the digital sector, with a clear emphasis on safeguarding minors from inappropriate content and manipulative platform features. Both the enhanced scrutiny of social media and the push for stricter controls on adult sites signal the EU's commitment to creating a safer digital environment for young users.