TikTok faces European Union scrutiny for possible breaches of strict new digital rulebook WHIO TV 7 and WHIO Radio [Video]

LONDON — (AP) — The European Union said Monday it is investigating whether TikTok has broken the bloc’s strict new digital rules for cleaning up social media and keeping internet users safe.

The European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, said it has “opened formal proceedings to assess” whether TikTok has breached the Digital Services Act, which took effect last year.

The DSA is a sweeping set of regulations designed to keep internet users safe online, including requirements to make it easier to flag harmful or illegal content like hate speech, give users alternatives to algorithmic recommendations and ban ads targeted at children.

The commission is focusing on whether TikTok is doing enough to curb “systemic risks” stemming from its design, including “algorithmic systems” that might stimulate “behavioral addictions.” It said measures including age verification tools to stop minors from finding “inappropriate content” might not be “reasonable, proportionate and effective.”

“The protection of minors is a top enforcement priority for the DSA. As …