(Photo: AFP/ VNA)

The European Commission said it had sent formal requests for information to TikTok and YouTube under the EU’s new law on digital content. The EU’s executive arm said it wants to know what measures the video-sharing platforms have taken to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA) regarding risks posed to children’s mental and physical health.

Platforms face fines for violations that can go as high as 6% of global turnover.

The DSA came into force in August for 19 sites designated by the EU as “very large” platforms that have more than 45 million users. These include Google Search, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Amazon, and Apple’s App Store.

Smaller digital firms will have to comply with the DSA beginning in February next year, when EU member states will have set up national supervisory authorities.