France is in the crosshairs TikTok. Following a report from the socialist deputy Arthur Delaporte, ainvestigation preliminary: the announcement came from the Paris prosecutor, Laure Beccuau. At the center of the complaint was particularly the “ease of access” for minors to the application algorithm, which may “push“the most”vulnerable to suicide“. The investigation was entrusted to the cybercrime unit of the Paris police prefecture. Delaporte welcomed the opening of this investigation, “essential to delve deeper into and potentially sanction the platform’s multiple failures“.
The cybercrime unit of the Paris Prosecutor’s Office based its investigation on the analysis of the parliamentary commission of inquiry, as well as various reports on the platform. A 2023 Senate Report”highlighted risks to freedom of expression, data collection and the use of aggressive algorithms in accessing contents dangerous“.
TikTok’s position was not long in coming, rejecting “firmly” the charges received against him. In a statement sent to the agency France Pressehe was keen to underline that they are foreseen “functionality presets specifically designed to ensure the safety and the well-being of adolescents“. “With over 50 default settings designed to protect the safety and well-being of young people and with 9 out of 10 contents violating our policies removed Before we’re even seen, we’re committed to ensuring a safe and age-appropriate TikTok experience“, added a spokesperson for TikTok to theAct.
THE’parliamentary inquiry in September he recommended banning social media for children under 15; at the same time it was asked to impose a sort of “digital curfew” for children aged 15 to 18, in the hope of not falling into a “algorithmic trap” which could prove to be very dangerous for young people. Analyzing the application, the parliamentary commission of inquiry pointed the finger at “an ocean of harmful content“, including videos promoting suicide, theself-harm and exposure to violence in all its forms, which could be fueled by powerful referral programs that trap young people in harmful bubbles.
According to Delaporte, the moderation “remains largely insufficient, as does control
the age of the users“. In charge, together with Stéphane Vojetta (Renaissance), of a government mission on new digital problems, he made it known that the conclusions will be presented at the beginning of December.