EU ESCALATES META PROBE OVER CHILD ACCOUNT ACCESS

The EU's executive branch has formally accused Meta of inadequate age verification and child protection measures across its platforms. The probe focuses on Meta's failure to implement effective barriers preventing minors from accessing services designed for older users. This escalation marks a significant step in EU enforcement against the tech giant. Regulators are examining whether Meta has violated obligations under digital services regulations and child protection laws. The investigation could result in substantial fines if Meta is found non-compliant. The EU has previously imposed billions in penalties against major tech firms for regulatory breaches. Meta faces mounting pressure from regulators worldwide over child safety. The company has implemented various age-checking tools in recent years, but critics argue these measures remain insufficient. The probe is part of broader EU efforts to enforce stricter digital governance standards. Other major platforms face similar scrutiny regarding child protection and content moderation practices.