EU Lawmakers Seek Probe into TikTok Over Epstein Censorship

(MENAFN) A group of 32 European Parliament lawmakers has urged the European Commission to investigate TikTok following claims that the platform restricted or disrupted content on politically sensitive topics, including posts mentioning files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The lawmakers said the alleged restrictions could pose a systemic risk to freedom of expression and civic debate.

Most of the lawmakers are from the Greens, with support from The Left and Socialists & Democrats. They asked the Commission — which enforces EU platform rules — to assess whether TikTok’s moderation practices threaten public discourse. Users reportedly faced issues such as difficulty uploading videos, reduced reach, and unusually low view counts for content mentioning “Epstein,” “ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement),” and “Minnesota.”

Some signatories noted that they had personally observed similar glitches in Berlin and Brussels, suggesting the problem was not isolated. TikTok said the disruptions were due to technical issues and that no restrictions exist on sharing the term “Epstein” in direct messages. A spokesperson described the problem as a malfunction in one of TikTok’s safety systems, which “incorrectly responded in some instances.”

The platform is already under scrutiny under the EU Digital Services Act, which requires large online platforms to manage systemic risks and protect fundamental rights online. The lawmakers’ request adds to growing concerns over how social media moderation may affect political and civic discourse across Europe.

MENAFN05022026000045017281ID1110700314