Spain considers suspending TikTok over alleged child sexual abuse content

The Spanish government is considering suspending TikTok’s services in Spain following a media report alleging that accounts on the platform are being used to share and sell images of child sexual abuse.

The Ministry of Youth and Children has referred the allegations to the Attorney General’s Office, asking prosecutors to investigate the reported activity and take appropriate action.

The move follows a report by Maldita.es, which raised concerns about the alleged circulation of child sexual abuse material on TikTok and the platform’s mechanisms for preventing its distribution.

According to the report, around 7,700 Spanish-speaking users are involved in the activity. Some allegedly host live streams attended by hundreds of people requesting content, including material of a sexual nature.

In a letter sent to the Attorney General’s Office on Monday, the ministry asked prosecutors to respond to the allegations and take the necessary steps to protect any children and young people who may have been affected.

The government also confirmed that it is considering suspending TikTok’s services in Spain if the authorities consider such action appropriate.

Meanwhile, Youth and Children Minister Sira Rego has requested an urgent meeting with TikTok representatives in Spain. The aim is to hear the company’s response to the allegations and establish what measures it intends to take to protect children and young people using the platform.

The ministry described the reported activity as extremely serious, highlighting the potential risks to minors on a social network widely used by young people.

It has also called for an immediate, coordinated response from the relevant authorities at both national and European level.

Any decision on a possible suspension will depend on the investigation and the assessment of the allegations by the competent authorities.