Ireland: Media Commission opened investigation into TikTok over alleged non-compliance with EU Digital Services Act obligations

On 2 December 2025, the Media Commission opened an investigation into TikTok under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), pursuant to Part 8B of the Broadcasting Act 2009, as amended. The investigation followed a September 2024 review by the Platform Supervision Division on compliance with Article 16 DSA concerning “notice and action” mechanisms. The Media Commission identified concerns that TikTok’s illegal content reporting mechanisms may include potential “dark patterns” liable to confuse people into believing they were reporting illegal content rather than breaches of Terms and Conditions. The investigation will examine whether TikTok complies with Article 16(1) on ensuring reporting mechanisms are easy to access and user-friendly, Article 16(2)(c) on enabling anonymous reporting of suspected child sexual abuse material, and Article 25 on prohibiting deceptive interface design. The Media Commission noted that violations may lead to administrative financial sanctions of up to 6% of turnover and that Commitment Agreements may be concluded during the investigation.