The European Commission has sent official requests to YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok, demanding more information on how their secretive algorithms recommend content to users amid an inquiry into the role these recommender systems may play in amplifying content considered harmful.
In a statement released on Oct. 2, the commission said the inquiry, launched under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), seeks to assess the potential risks associated with the platforms’ recommendation algorithms. It said the risks include the negative effects on users’ mental health and the spread of harmful content, which can result from the way these algorithms are designed to maximize engagement.
