EU Seeks Clarification on ‘Minor Protection Measures’ from Apple, Google, and YouTube

EU Intensifies Oversight of Tech Giants Over Minor Safety

October 11, 2025

Brussels – The European Commission has initiated a review of major online platforms and app stores, including Apple, Google, youtube, and Snapchat, to verify their adherence to policies designed to safeguard children and young users.This action stems from the Digital Services Act (DSA), a landmark law intended to regulate the digital sphere and address online harms.

Digital Services Act: A New Era of Online Regulation

Henna Birkkunen, the European Union’s Senior Vice-President for Technology Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, disclosed this advancement while visiting Denmark. She indicated that requests for details regarding minor protection measures have been dispatched to the aforementioned companies. This move signifies a proactive approach by the EU to enforce the DSA’s provisions.

What is the Digital Services Act?

The Digital Services Act, which came into effect in February 2024, establishes a extensive framework for online content moderation, clarity, and accountability.It places heightened obligations on “Very Large Online Platforms” (VLOPs) – those exceeding 45 million active users within the EU – to address systemic risks, including the spread of illegal content and the protection of vulnerable groups like children. According to a European Commission report, the DSA aims to create a safer digital space where fundamental rights are protected.

Potential Penalties for Non-Compliance

Should violations of the DSA be identified, the European Commission possesses the authority to launch formal investigations. Companies found in breach of the regulations could face ample financial penalties,potentially reaching up to 6% of their global annual sales. This underscores the seriousness with which the EU is treating online safety and the enforcement of the DSA. Recent data indicates that over 70% of Europeans use social media daily, heightening the urgency of these protective measures.

Platform	DSA Designation	key Focus Area (Minor Protection)
Apple App Store	VLOP	App Content Moderation, Age Verification
Google Play	VLOP	App Content Moderation, Parental Controls
YouTube	VLOP	Content Filtering, Age-Restricted Content
Snapchat	VLOP	Content Moderation, Reporting Mechanisms

Did You Know? The DSA also requires platforms to be more obvious about their algorithms and content moderation practices.

Pro Tip: Parents should familiarize themselves with the parental control features offered by these platforms to help protect their children online.

The EU’s actions reflect a growing global concern about the impact of online platforms on young people’s well-being.This initiative sets a precedent for how governments might regulate the tech industry to prioritize user safety and societal values.

Do you believe the DSA will effectively protect minors online? What further steps should be taken to address online safety challenges?

Understanding the Ongoing Evolution of Digital Regulation

The Digital Services Act is not a static piece of legislation. It is expected to evolve as technology advances and new challenges emerge. The ongoing scrutiny of tech giants by the European Commission highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and adaptation of regulatory frameworks to ensure they remain effective. This is part of a wider trend of increased regulation of technology companies globally, with similar initiatives being considered in other jurisdictions including the United States and the United Kingdom.

Frequently Asked Questions about the DSA and Online Safety

• what is the main goal of the digital Services Act? The DSA aims to create a safer digital space by addressing illegal content, harmful products, and protecting users, especially minors.
• Which companies are considered ‘Very Large Online Platforms’ (VLOPs)? Platforms with over 45 million active users in the EU are designated as VLOPs and face stricter regulations.
• What penalties can companies face for violating the DSA? Companies could be fined up to 6% of their global annual sales.
• How does the DSA protect minors online? It requires platforms to implement measures to protect children from harmful content and ensure their online safety.
• Is the DSA only applicable within the European Union? While enacted by the EU, the DSA has global implications for any platform serving EU users.
• What are the obligations related to transparency? The DSA requires platforms to be more transparent about their algorithms and content moderation practices.
• What role do parents play in online safety under the DSA? Parents are encouraged to utilize parental control features and be aware of the online activities of their children.

Share your thoughts on this developing story in the comments below. What are your concerns about online safety and what solutions do you propose?

What specific age verification systems are Apple, Google, and YouTube currently employing to comply with the DSA?

The Core of the EU’s Concerns: Digital Services Act Compliance

The European Union is pressing Apple, Google, and YouTube for detailed explanations regarding the “minor protection measures” they’ve implemented to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA). This isn’t a surprise; the DSA, which came into full effect earlier this year, places significant obligations on Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs) – categories Apple, Google, and YouTube definitively fall into. The EU’s latest request, reported by multiple sources on October 10th, 2025, centers around whether current safeguards adequately protect vulnerable users, particularly minors, from harmful content and manipulative practices online.

This scrutiny highlights the EU’s commitment to digital regulation and its proactive approach to enforcing the DSA. Key areas of focus include age verification, targeted advertising, and the prevalence of harmful content like cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate material. the EU is specifically asking for transparency on how these platforms are identifying and mitigating risks to younger users.

What are ‘Minor Protection Measures’ Under the DSA?

The DSA doesn’t explicitly define “minor protection measures,” leaving room for interpretation by the platforms themselves. Though, the intent is clear: VLOPs and VLOSEs must take specific steps to ensure a safer online environment for children and teenagers. These measures generally fall into several categories:

* Age Verification Systems: Implementing robust methods to verify user age, going beyond simple date-of-birth input. This could involve ID checks or other more sophisticated techniques.

* Targeted advertising Restrictions: Limiting or prohibiting targeted advertising based on data collected about minors. The DSA aims to prevent manipulative advertising practices that exploit vulnerabilities.

* Content Moderation Enhancements: Strengthening content moderation policies and practices to quickly identify and remove harmful content targeting or impacting young users. This includes content promoting self-harm, eating disorders, or violence.

* Reporting Mechanisms: Providing easy-to-use and effective reporting mechanisms for users to flag harmful content and abusive behavior.

* Privacy Settings & Controls: Offering clear and accessible privacy settings that allow minors (and their parents/guardians) to control their online experience.

* Design Choices Promoting safety: Incorporating design features that prioritize user safety, such as default privacy settings and warnings about potentially harmful content.

Why the EU is Asking for Clarification Now

The initial compliance reports submitted by Apple, Google, and YouTube were deemed insufficient by the EU Commission. While the platforms outlined steps taken, the EU believes more detail is needed to assess the effectiveness of these measures. Several factors are driving this renewed push for transparency:

* Growing Concerns About Youth Mental health: Increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm among young people are frequently enough linked to online experiences.

* The Rise of Harmful Online Challenges: Viral challenges and trends on platforms like TikTok and YouTube have, in the past, lead to dangerous and even fatal consequences for minors.

* Data Privacy Concerns: The collection and use of personal data from minors for targeted advertising remains a significant concern.

* Enforcement of the DSA: The EU is signaling its willingness to rigorously enforce the DSA and hold VLOPs and VLOSEs accountable for protecting their users.

Specific Questions the EU is Posing

While the exact details of the EU’s request are confidential, sources indicate the Commission is seeking answers to questions like:

1. What specific age verification methods are being used, and what are their limitations? (e.g., accuracy rates, potential for circumvention)
2. How is targeted advertising restricted for users identified as minors? (e.g., what data is used, what types of ads are prohibited)
3. What is the average response time for removing harmful content reported by users? (and how does this vary by content type?)
4. How are algorithms designed to prevent the amplification of harmful content to young users?
5. What measures are in place to protect minors from online grooming and exploitation?
6. How are parental controls being promoted and made accessible to parents/guardians?

Potential Consequences of Non-Compliance

The stakes are high for Apple, Google, and YouTube. Failure to adequately address the EU’s concerns could result in:

* Significant Fines: The DSA allows for fines of up to 6% of a company’s global annual revenue for non-compliance.

* compliance Orders: The EU could issue legally binding orders requiring the platforms to implement specific changes to their policies and practices.

* Temporary Bans: In extreme cases, the EU could even impose temporary bans on certain services within the bloc.

* Reputational damage: Negative publicity surrounding non-compliance could damage the platforms’ reputations and erode user trust.

Real-World Examples & Case Studies

The EU’s actions are informed by past incidents highlighting the risks to minors online. For example:

* The “Momo Challenge” (2018): A viral hoax that spread on WhatsApp and YouTube, encouraging children to engage in dangerous activities. This incident underscored the need for proactive content moderation.

* **TikTok Fines (2023):