The Dutch regulator announced that it is in contact with the European Commission regarding its investigation into Snapchat, one of Europe's 25 largest online platforms.

The Netherlands’ Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has opened an investigation into social media application Snapchat on suspicion of breaching the EU’s online platform rules for allowing the sale of electronic cigarettes, or vapes, to minors, the authority said in a statement today.

The move follows a complaint filed by Dutch doctors late last month, for failure to take measures to ban the sale of illegal electronic cigarettes, or vapes, which they claim is in breach of the EU’s online platform rules - the Digital Services Act (DSA).

In addition, it was confirmed in recent months that drugs had been added to e-cigarettes.

ACM Board Member Manon Leijten said: “The information obtained provides sufficient grounds for us to open an investigation into whether Snapchat has violated DSA rules.”

The Netherlands banned the sale of flavored e-cigarettes in January 2024 and also prohibited the sale of these products to minors. Under the DSA, online platforms must take adequate measures to prevent the spread of illegal content and products, particularly to protect children.

The investigation is being conducted by ACM because Snapchat's European headquarters are located in Amsterdam. However, since Snapchat has over 45 million monthly users and falls under the EU's “very large online platforms” (VLOP) category, the overall oversight of the app will fall under the authority of the European Commission.

In November 2023, the Commission requested official information from Snapchat regarding the protection of children and the functioning of its recommendation systems. It was noted that the company responded to these questions, but the investigation is ongoing.(ILKHA)