Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on December 2, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleIreland's media regulator investigates TikTok and LinkedIn for potential non-compliance with the EU's Digital Services Act, focusing on illegal content reporting mechanisms.
DUBLIN, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Ireland's media regulator began investigations into TikTok and LinkedIn on Tuesday over concerns that their illegal content reporting mechanisms are not easy to access or do not allow people to report child sexual abuse material anonymously.
The probes were opened by the regulator in its new role supervising the compliance of platforms established in Ireland with the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA). They will assess suspected contravention of parts of the law.
Many large tech multinationals have their European headquarters in Ireland. If a provider is found in violation of the DSA, the Irish regulator can fine it up to 6% of its annual turnover.
The investigations into TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, and Microsoft's LinkedIn, stem from a review of online providers' compliance with a requirement to put in place mechanisms to allow users to report illegal content.
"In the case of these platforms, there is reason to suspect that their illegal content reporting mechanisms are not easy to access or user-friendly, do not allow people to report child sexual abuse material anonymously, as required by the DSA, and that the design of their interfaces may deter people from reporting content as illegal," said John Evans, the Irish regulator's digital services commissioner.
Evans said a number of other providers have made significant changes to their reporting mechanisms for illegal content after engagement with the regulator. It has requested further information from some and is not ruling out further regulatory action, he added.
The Irish regulator opened its first probe under the DSA last month, an investigation into social media platform X.
The EU has cracked down on Big Tech using the DSA, which requires large platforms such as social media sites and search engines to have robust measures in place to mitigate the spread of illegal and harmful content.
(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Aidan Lewis)
The Digital Services Act (DSA) is a European Union regulation that aims to create a safer digital space by establishing rules for online platforms to manage illegal content and protect users.
Illegal content reporting refers to the mechanisms that allow users to report harmful or illegal material on online platforms, such as child sexual abuse material, ensuring swift action is taken.
Fines for non-compliance are financial penalties imposed on companies that fail to adhere to regulatory requirements, which can be a percentage of their annual turnover.
User-friendly interface design refers to the creation of digital platforms that are easy to navigate and use, enhancing user experience and encouraging interaction.
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