Irish media regulator probes TikTok, LinkedIn over platform rules

Ireland’s media regulator has launched investigations into TikTok and LinkedIn over concerns that their systems for reporting illegal content may not be easy to access or allow anonymous reporting of child sexual abuse material, as required by law.

These investigations follow a review under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which sets rules for online platforms to let users report illegal content, including a requirement for anonymous reporting of child sexual abuse material.

John Evans, the digital services commissioner, said there is reason to suspect that the design of TikTok’s and LinkedIn’s reporting tools may deter users from flagging illegal material, and do not meet DSA rules.

If found in violation of the DSA, companies can face fines of up to 6% of annual turnover.

🔗 Source: Reuters

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

DSA probes of illegal-content reporting check design compliance; fines remain possible

Ireland is examining friction in report flows, tool access, and whether anonymous child sexual abuse material (CSAM) tips are enabled. Fines under the DSA can reach 6% of global turnover 1, and recent cases on report UX sit at preliminary findings rather than final penalties 2.
On October 24, 2025 the European Commission issued preliminary findings covering Meta, TikTok on researcher data access; Meta also faced claims of dark patterns in its report systems, while July 2024 findings on X flagged dark patterns in its verified program 2.
Enforcement timelines include rights of defense and consultation with the European Board for Digital Services. A final decision can take months 1 2.
The Irish regulator says some providers changed their report systems after talks. It is still weighing further steps.
For investors this signals headline risk more than near term profit impact, unless platforms ignore findings by Ireland’s media regulator.

Trust and safety vendors can target VLOPs that need plug and play DSA compliant report tools

Designated Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs) such as TikTok, LinkedIn face the toughest checks under the DSA 3.
The DSA requires effective notice and action paths for illegal content 4. Users need simple ways to flag material, while platforms must act under Articles 14 and 16.
Many EU facing services will upgrade report flows early. That shift creates demand for modular tools from trust and safety vendors covering multiple languages, mobile first UX, plus GDPR aware anonymization.
Vendors with prebuilt, auditable report widgets can offer fast rollout to platforms under probe or fearing designation, which makes compliance a selling point.