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News Wire / technology

EU Commission Finds Metaverse Platform Lacks Child Safety Controls

NDR Info Brussels 14d13d Impact 8

EU internet watchdogs are demanding that Meta platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, enforce the minimum age of 13 years as specified in their terms of use. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to 6% of the company's global annual turnover. Data indicates up to 12% of children in that age group use these applications. Existing age restrictions could be easily bypassed, potentially exposing children to inappropriate content. Current reporting procedures for child accounts are described as too cumbersome and ineffective for risk mitigation. The report was filed by Andreas Meier-Feest. Preliminary investigation results suggest current protections are inadequate. Mark Zuckerberg may face penalties for these failures. European regulators have demanded that US-based Meta take more action to protect children on its platforms.

EU internet watchdogs are demanding that Meta platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, enforce the minimum age of 13 years as specified in their terms of use. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to 6% of the company's global annual turnover. Data indicates up to 12% of children in that age group use these applications. Existing age restrictions could be easily bypassed, potentially exposing children to inappropriate content. Current reporting procedures for child accounts are described as too cumbersome and ineffective for risk mitigation. The report was filed by Andreas Meier-Feest. Preliminary investigation results suggest current protections are inadequate. Mark Zuckerberg may face penalties for these failures. European regulators have demanded that US-based Meta take more action to protect children on its platforms. The CDU-CSU group's internal market policy spokesperson in the European Parliament demanded that age limits set in terms of use must be effectively enforced. EU Commissioner Hannah Wirkunen stated that under-13s in the EU are using Instagram or Facebook. Other MEPs have expressed support for the European Commission's recent move regarding this issue.

Topics

Meta Facebook Instagram EU regulation age verification

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Sources · 7 independent

NDR Info

“Die Brüsseler Internetwächter verlangen von den Plattformen, dass sie selbst die in den Nutzungsbedingungen festgelegte Mindestalter von 13 Jahren durchsetzen müssen.”

NDR Info

“Einen präsentierte die Vizesefin der EU-Kommission eine lange erwartete App zur Altersprüfung im Internet. Zum anderen stellte sie fest, dass der US-Digitalkonzern Meta zu wenig unternimmt, um Kinder zu schützen.”

NDR Info

“stellte sie fest, dass der US-Digitalkonzern Meter zu wenig unternimmt, um Kinder zu schützen oder ihnen den Zugang zu problematischen Inhalten zu verwehren. Instagram und Facebook würden gegen das Gesetz über digitale Dienste verstoßen.”

NDR Info

“Gut 12 Prozent der unter 13-Jährigen in der EU nutzten Instagram oder Facebook, erklärte EU-Kommissarin Henna Wirkonen.”

NDR Info

“In diesem Fall sei aber zu vermuten, dass Meta eigene Nutzungsbedingungen für Minderjährige nicht einhalte, um Nutzer zu generieren und konnten nicht sperren zu müssen.”

NDR Info

“Die EU-Kommission plant, diese Grenze bis Ende des Jahres europaweit einzuführen. Frankreich, Spanien, Dänemark und Österreich sind dabei, schon jetzt ernst zu machen mit nationalen Altersgrenzen.”

NDR Info

“Die EU App soll mit dem Personalausweis oder Reisepass abgeglichen werden und dann als Altersnachweis dienen. Eine erste Version ist als Open Source Online abrufbar.”

hr-iNFO

“Die EU-Kommission. Jugendliche im Netz und treibt deshalb strengere Alterskontrollen voran. Sie geht auch gegen die US-Digitalkonzerne vor, wenn sie die Altersempfehlungen auf ihren Plattformen nicht umsetzen.”

hr-iNFO

“Vor allem, um jene vor Schaden zu bewahren, Europa in Zukunft geschmackt. dass die Digitalanbieter alle Vorgaben des Jugendschutzes einhalten.”

Ö1

“the platforms are used by every tenth child under 13, the EU Commission has found in its investigations. And thus the parent company Meta violates EU rules.”

BR24

“Wenn Altersgrenzen in den eigenen Nutzungsbedingungen festgelegt sind, müssten sie auch durchgesetzt werden, forderte der binnenmarktpolitische Sprecher der CDU-CSU-Gruppe im Europäischen Parlament.”

BR24

“The EU Commission plans to introduce this limit across Europe by the end of the year. France, Spain, Denmark, and Austria are already getting serious with national age limits for online platforms.”

CKNW 980 Vancouver

“I think it's really important for the mental health of young people and just the freedom for young people to be kids while they're growing up.”

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