TikTok recently released its European Union disclosure reporting as part of its compliance with the E.U.’s Digital Services Act (D.S.A.). This report sheds light on various aspects of TikTok’s operations in the E.U., including content moderation, user growth, and more. In the period from October to December last year, TikTok removed nearly 13 million pieces of content, with “Sensitive & Mature Themes” being the primary reason for removals. The report also highlights trends in removal decisions over time.
The report indicates that TikTok received the most user reports around “Financial Crime”, with “Privacy Related Violations” and “Hate Speech” also generating significant user feedback. Additionally, TikTok banned over 3 million E.U.-based accounts during the reporting period. The platform reported having 6,287 people dedicated to content moderation in the European Union by the end of December 2023, showing an increase of 162 moderators compared to its initial report.
TikTok’s user base in the E.U. region has grown to 142 million, up from 135.9 million reported in October the previous year. However, TikTok notes that there may be some double counting in these figures, as they are specifically for D.S.A. compliance and should not be relied on for other purposes. Key E.U. nations for TikTok include Germany, France, and Italy, each with over 20 million users. With 170 million users in the U.S., the E.U. and U.S. combined account for around a third of TikTok’s estimated one billion active users.
The data on TikTok’s E.U. operations and popularity in the region provide valuable insights for marketers looking to reach European users. By leveraging this information, businesses can better target their promotions to effectively engage with TikTok’s growing user base in the E.U. It is also worth noting that TikTok’s usage in the E.U. is on the rise, though not at a rapid pace. The platform’s continued growth in the region signals its enduring popularity among European audiences. For further details, the full D.S.A. disclosure update from TikTok is available for review.