BRUSSELS, Oct 24 (Reuters) - The European Commission

said on Friday that U.S. Big Tech giant Meta and

Chinese-owned social media app TikTok breach their obligation to

grant researchers adequate access to public data under the

Digital Services Act (DSA) according to its preliminary

findings.

In a statement, the Commission also said that Meta's

Facebook and Instagram do not appear to provide a user-friendly

and easily accessible mechanism for users to flag illegal

content, such as child sexual abuse material and terrorist

content.

The EU has cracked down on Big Tech companies with the

Digital Services Act, which requires large platforms such as

social media sites and search engines to have robust measures to

mitigate the spread of illegal and harmful content.

"The Commission's preliminary findings show that Facebook,

Instagram and TikTok may have put in place burdensome procedures

and tools for researchers to request access to public data", the

EU executive said about the transparency issue.

"Allowing researchers access to platforms' data is an

essential transparency obligation under the DSA, as it provides

public scrutiny into the potential impact of platforms on our

physical and mental health."

On Meta hindering the reporting of illegal content, the

Commission said the company currently has mechanisms that impose

several unnecessary steps and additional demands on users and

use "deceptive interface designs".

"Such practices can be confusing and dissuading. Meta's

mechanisms to flag and remove illegal content may therefore be

ineffective. Under the DSA, 'Notice and Action' mechanisms are

key to allowing EU users ... to inform online platforms that

certain content does not comply with EU or national laws", it

said.

The Commission added the companies now have the possibility

to examine its findings and take measures to remedy the

breaches, adding that the preliminary findings do not prejudge

the outcome of the investigation.

But if the findings of the Commission are confirmed by

relevant consultations, it may impose a fine on the companies of

as much as 6% of their annual global sales.