EU Investigates Snapchat Over Child Safety Concerns and Accuses Porn Sites of Failing to Block Minors
European Union regulators have initiated a formal investigation into Snapchat, citing serious concerns that the platform is not adequately protecting children from online harm. The probe, announced on Thursday, 26 March 2026, by the European Commission, focuses on potential breaches of the bloc's Digital Services Act, a comprehensive rulebook designed to safeguard internet users.
Snapchat's Age Verification Under Scrutiny
The commission suspects that Snapchat's age assurance system is insufficient, despite requiring users to be at least 13 years old. Regulators argue that the platform fails to properly verify whether users are under 17, which is crucial for providing an age-appropriate experience. Additionally, there are worries that the system does not effectively prevent adults from posing as minors, exposing children to risks such as sexual exploitation or recruitment by criminals.
Henna Virkkunen, the commission's executive vice president for tech sovereignty, security, and democracy, stated that Snapchat appears to have overlooked the DSA's high safety standards for all users. The investigation will scrutinize the company's compliance with EU legislation, including its efforts to prevent underage users from accessing information about illegal or restricted products like drugs, vapes, or alcohol.
Snapchat's Response and Broader Industry Pressure
In a statement, Snapchat emphasized its full cooperation with the commission, highlighting proactive and transparent engagement to meet DSA safety standards. The company asserted that user safety and well-being are top priorities, with privacy and safety features built into the platform from the start, including additional protections for teenagers.
This probe adds to mounting pressure on social media companies across the Atlantic regarding young people's welfare. Recent cases include a California jury awarding damages to a young woman over Meta and YouTube's addictive designs, and a New Mexico jury penalizing Meta for harming children's mental health and concealing child sexual exploitation. The EU has also accused TikTok of DSA breaches related to addictive features and has been investigating Facebook and Instagram since 2024 over child protection shortcomings.
Porn Sites Accused of Failing to Protect Minors
Simultaneously, the EU has accused four major pornographic websites—Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos—of failing to protect children from adult content. Following an investigation opened last year, regulators found that these sites did not diligently identify and assess risks to minors or implement effective measures to prevent access.
Virkkunen warned that children are accessing adult content at increasingly younger ages, urging platforms to adopt robust, privacy-preserving measures. The porn sites now have an opportunity to respond before the commission issues a final decision, with potential fines of up to 6% of annual revenue for non-compliance under the DSA.
Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Digital Services Act mandates that internet companies enhance protections for European users against harmful content and suspect merchandise, underscoring the EU's commitment to digital safety.
