The European Union has opened a formal investigation into Snapchat over potential breaches of its Digital Services Act (DSA) regarding child protection.
The probe centers on whether Snapchat adequately safeguards minors from online risks, including grooming, recruitment for criminal purposes, and access to age-restricted or illicit content, impacting user safety within the EU.
Regulators are examining Snapchat’s age assurance system, which requires users to be at least 13. The EU suggests this self-declaration method may be insufficient to prevent underage access.
The European Commission also believes the current measures fail to assess whether users are younger than 17, which it deems necessary for an “age-appropriate experience.” It further alleges adults may exploit the system to misrepresent their age and impersonate minors.
Investigators contend the app lacks sufficient tools for users to report suspected underage accounts or illegal content effectively. They also argue Snapchat may not be adequately informing users about “possibilities for redress.”
Other concerns include Snapchat’s “Find Friends” feature recommending child and teen accounts to other users and insufficient guidance on available account safety features.
The Commission is gathering evidence, issuing interview invitations, and requesting information from Snap. The investigation stems from an analysis of Snapchat’s risk assessment reports over the past three years and an information request sent on October 10, 2025.
“The safety and wellbeing of all Snapchatters is a top priority, and our teams have worked for years to raise the bar on safety,” a Snapchat spokesperson told Engadget. The spokesperson added that Snapchat “is designed to help people communicate with close friends and family in a positive, trusted environment, with privacy and safety built in from the start – including additional protections for teens.”
Snapchat stated it has acted proactively and transparently to meet DSA requirements and will cooperate fully with the Commission.
Snap is one of several social media companies facing increased scrutiny over minor safety. In 2023, the company implemented features to limit contact between teenagers and strangers, such as increasing mutual friend requirements for search and suggested accounts.
Snap recently settled a lawsuit alongside TikTok alleging social media addiction. The case involved a 20-year-old woman, identified as K.G.M., who claimed harm from addictive features on Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Snap as a child. A jury ruled against Meta and YouTube in the trial, ordering them to pay K.G.M. $6 million in damages.
