Brussels investigates Google and YouTube for advertising vaping and drugs to minors.

BrusselsThe European Commission continues to keep a tight rein on big tech and intends to increase the protection of minors on social networks. Through the new EU Digital Services Act, Brussels announced this Friday that it has opened an investigation into various platforms, such as Snapchat, YouTube, Apple, and Google, to determine how they verify the age of consumers and, therefore, how they prevent minors from accessing content that advertises or promotes drugs, as well as all types of "harmful material," including unhealthy eating habits.

This is the first time that the European Commission has investigated major technology companies through the child protection regulations included in the Digital Services Act. "Platforms have an obligation to ensure that minors are safe when consuming their services," said Henna Virkkunen, vice president of the EU executive and head of technological sovereignty, in a statement.

Specifically, the EU executive is requesting information from Snapchat to determine whether it actually prevents minors from accessing illegal products. As for YouTube, the European Commission also wants to investigate how its recommendation system works, having received complaints that it distributes "harmful material" to minors.

The European Commission is also seeking information on how the Apple Store and Google Play theoretically prevent minors from downloading gambling apps, pornographic content, or apps that distribute sexualized images. "The Commission wants to know how the apps ensure the age of their consumers," the statement from the European Commission states.

Brussels trusts that the major technology companies will cooperate to facilitate the investigation and take measures to prevent violations of European Union laws on the protection of minors. If these large companies ignore the requests, the European Commission can impose sanctions or take them to court in Luxembourg.