Preliminary findings by the European Commission on Friday show that Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok violate European Union rules, which could lead to hefty fines.

TikTok and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, now have the possibility to defend themselves against the allegations or make adjustments to their platforms to avoid financial penalties.

According to the commission, the three platforms do not provide researchers with sufficient insight into their data as required under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).

Such publicly accessible data sets should enable scientists to investigate, for example, the effects of content glorifying violence against children.

“The commission’s preliminary findings show that Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok may have put in place burdensome procedures and tools for researchers to request access to public data.

“This often leaves them with partial or unreliable data, impacting their ability to conduct research, such as whether users, including minors, are exposed to illegal or harmful content.

“Allowing researchers access to platforms’ data is an essential transparency obligation under the DSA, as it provides public scrutiny into the potential impact of platforms on our physical and mental health,” it said.

Additionally, the commission has alleged that Meta does not offer simple ways to report illegal content and to challenge content moderation decisions.

Should the commission ultimately decide that the companies have violated EU law, it can impose a fine of up to six per cent of the companies’ worldwide annual turnover.

“Our democracies depend on trust. That means platforms must empower users, respect their rights, and open their systems to scrutiny,” said European Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen.

The preliminary findings “are making sure platforms are accountable for their services, as ensured by EU law, towards users and society,” she said.

The assessments presented on Friday are part of a broader probe into the three platforms that have been running since 2024.

Meta is also under investigation over suspicions that the U.S. company may be violating rules on the protection of minors by not protecting children sufficiently from addictive algorithms.

Officials in Brussels had recently expressed frustration at Meta’s lack of cooperation.

The publication of the preliminary findings is therefore likely to be used as leverage in the deadlocked discussions with the U.S. Company.

The findings could, however, possibly increase tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly described EU legislation as anti-competitive.

Facebook founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, meanwhile, has moved closer to Mr Trump’s political camp.

(dpa/NAN)