News Summary

The European Union has launched an investigation into Snapchat, the social media platform owned by U.S. company Snap, over allegations of failing to protect minors from grooming and the sale of illegal goods, including vapes and drugs. This investigation is part of the EU’s Digital Services Act, which mandates high safety standards for all users. Concerns include Snapchat’s ineffective age verification system, inadequate default account settings, and mechanisms that undermine minors’ safety. The EU’s move follows a probe initiated by Dutch regulators last September. Snapchat reportedly has 94.7 million monthly users in the EU, with significant usage among young populations, despite age restrictions. In response, Snapchat emphasizes its commitment to user safety and continuous improvement of its protective measures.