EU ‘Not Afraid’ to Confront Tech Giants Over Children’s Online Safety, Commissioner Says

The European Union is prepared to confront major technology companies over the protection of children online, EU Commissioner Glenn Micallef said in an interview with Anadolu Agency published this week.

Micallef said the bloc is "not afraid" to challenge large tech firms as it moves forward with efforts to strengthen online safety rules for minors, according to the report.

The commissioner discussed the EU’s proposed social media age restrictions, telling Anadolu that the bloc’s approach is guided by the principle that "the younger you are, the stronger the protection" should be.

According to the report, Micallef’s comments come as the EU continues to weigh measures aimed at limiting children’s exposure to potential online harms, part of a broader push by the bloc to hold technology platforms more accountable for content and features affecting younger users.

Further details of the interview, including specifics of the proposed restrictions, were not immediately available beyond the excerpt published by Anadolu Agency.