European Union: European Commission opened formal proceedings against Snapchat concerning child safety and privacy under Digital Services Act

On 25 March 2026, the European Commission opened formal proceedings to assess whether Snapchat may have breached the Digital Services Act (DSA) in relation to the safety, privacy, and security of minors. The investigation covers five areas concerning the protection of users under 18. In particular, the Commission considers whether Snapchat’s reliance on self-declaration for age assurance is sufficient to prevent access by children under 13 and to ensure age-appropriate experiences for those under 17. The proceedings also examine whether the platform provides adequate safeguards against grooming and the potential involvement of minors in criminal activities, including where users misrepresent their age. In addition, the Commission is assessing whether default account settings, such as the “find friends” recommendation system and push notifications, offer appropriate levels of privacy and safety by default. Further areas of review include the dissemination of content related to prohibited products, such as drugs, vapes, and alcohol, and whether moderation tools sufficiently mitigate associated risks. The Commission is also considering whether mechanisms for reporting illegal content are accessible and transparent, including whether users are adequately informed about available redress options. The proceedings enable the Commission to take over an investigation previously initiated by the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets on 9 September 2025. It may now gather evidence through information requests, interviews, and inspections, and may adopt interim measures or non-compliance decisions where necessary.