Overview
- The Spanish data protection agency (AEPD) opened administrative proceedings on Wednesday, November 11 and has asked TikTok for information and Maldita.es for a list of links so it can block specific content that unlawfully processes minors' data.
- The Fiscalía General del Estado also launched a criminal probe on November 11 and assigned Elvira Tejada, the office's cybercrime coordinator, to investigate possible production, distribution and corruption of minors on the platform.
- A Maldita.es investigation published in October found more than 1,000 explicit videos with roughly 48 million views, about 20,000 suspect profiles and networks that include livestreams, accounts soliciting buyers and communities seeking baby content.
- TikTok says child sexual abuse material is categorically banned, that it uses advanced detection tools and is cooperating with authorities, but Maldita.es reported low initial removal rates for a 50‑video sample and the company acknowledges that abusers change tactics to evade controls.
- Because TikTok's EU establishment is in Ireland, the AEPD said it will forward findings to the Irish DPC and European bodies, a step that could trigger coordinated enforcement, possible link blocks and broader scrutiny of how platforms protect children.