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The European Union initiated a formal investigation into the online fashion retailer Shein under the Digital Services Act. The probe focuses on the alleged sale of illegal products, including childlike sex dolls, and concerns about addictive design features. Separately, the European Public Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation into the European Commission, with Belgian police conducting raids as part of a related fraud probe. In other regulatory developments, the European Commission failed to meet a deadline for producing key guidelines for its Artificial Intelligence Act.
The Commission announced a new EU-wide action plan to combat cyberbullying, proposing age controls on social media and a dedicated reporting app. This comes amid a survey showing European citizens are more optimistic about their personal futures than about the future of the EU. Concurrently, two European Union Commissioners faced criticism for alleged involvement in election campaigns, sparking broader discussion about the role of direct democracy within the EU system. In a separate initiative, the EU launched the first phase of its Govsatcom satellite internet network for government communications.
The European Union formally warned Meta for blocking rival artificial intelligence chatbots on its WhatsApp platform. The EU's competition authority stated this could constitute an abuse of dominant market position and threatened temporary measures. In a separate major digital enforcement action, the European Commission formally accused TikTok of violating EU digital rules, stating the app's addictive design harms children and young users, and demanded changes under threat of large fines.
The release of documents related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein caused political fallout. A vice president of the European Parliament called for a Europe-wide investigation, and the Council of Europe stripped immunity from a former official in connection with the probe. Subsequently, the European Union asked its anti-fraud agency to investigate former EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson's connections to Epstein, specifically examining emails linked to Epstein for potential rule violations.
5 topics | 43 sources
The European Union has started a formal investigation into the online fashion retailer Shein. The probe focuses on the platform's alleged sale of childlike sex dolls and other illegal products, as well as concerns about addictive design features that could manipulate users. The investigation is being conducted under the EU's Digital Services Act, which requires large online platforms to manage risks related to illegal content and protect users. The EU Commission is examining whether Shein violated these rules.
The European Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into the European Commission. Belgian police have also raided EU offices and a Belgian wealth fund as part of a fraud probe. Separately, the EU has launched the first phase of its Govsatcom program, which is a satellite internet network for government communications.
The European Commission has failed to produce a key set of guidelines for its Artificial Intelligence Act on time. This marks another missed deadline in the EU's process of implementing its landmark AI regulations.
Two European Union Commissioners are facing criticism for their alleged involvement in election campaigns. This comes as there is broader discussion about why direct democracy, like citizen-led initiatives, has not become more common within the EU system.
8 topics | 151 sources
Feb 27
European Union accuses TikTok of having an addictive design that harms childrenThe European Commission has formally charged TikTok with violating the bloc's digital rules. The EU's executive body says the app's design is addictive and can have harmful effects on children. TikTok has been told to change its interface or face potentially massive fines. The EU's action is part of a broader investigation into whether the platform's business model is illegal under the Digital Services Act. Separately, some headlines discuss a shift in TikTok's U.S. ownership and ongoing concerns about privacy and censorship from American users. Other reports mention a dangerous trend on the platform that left a boy badly burned.