European Commission and ACM join forces in DSA investigation into Snapchat
                  

                
                                  






  







  



  
    
              
        
        
      
      
                        
          

Summary

ACM’s investigation into the sale of vapes through Snapchat will become part of a broader investigation by the European Commission.
The Commission will investigate the protection of minors as well as exposure to illegal products through Snapchat, among other aspects.
ACM will be part of the European Commission’s investigation team.


  

  

    
      
          

      

  


                

  
    
            

The investigation launched by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) into the availability of vapes on the Dutch online platform Snapchat will become part of a broader investigation by the European Commission into Snapchat. ACM will be part of the investigation team, which is led by the European Commission. The investigation will reveal whether or not the platform complies with the rules laid down in the Digital Services Act (DSA).


ACM announced in September 2025 that it would launch an investigation into Snapchat, following a request for enforcement that was filed by the Dutch Youth Smoking Prevention Foundation (in Dutch: Stichting Rookpreventie Jeugd). This foundation believed that Snapchat took insufficient measures in order to prevent vapes from being sold through their platform to minors. The Commission has since determined that the risks to Snapchat’s users are systemic in nature, and therefore fall under the stricter obligations for Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs). One such example of this type of systemic risks is the negative impact on the protection of minors. That is why the Commission has launched a formal and more extensive investigation into Snapchat.


The European Commission’s investigation focuses on, among other aspects, age assurance, privacy and security settings, as well as the protection of minors from contact with users with harmful intent, such as sexual exploitation or recruitment for criminal activities. Exposure to illegal products, including vapes, will also be part of the investigation. In addition, the investigation team examines whether the platform has its systems for reporting illegal content in order. At the moment, it is not yet known when the investigation will be completed.


For more information, see the European Commission’s press release: 
Commission investigates Snapchat's compliance with child protection rules under the Digital Services.
See also:


09-09-2025 ACM launches DSA investigation into Snapchat in connection with illegal sale of vaping products to minors 

      

    
          
                                          
                                  
                        
                                  
                                
                  

                
          
          
          Publication characteristics
          
                                    
                Publication date
                26-03-2026
              
                      
                                    
                Publication type
                  News

              
                      

                                          
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                Keywords
                  Internet security,
  Internet,
  Digital economy,
  Online consumers

              
                      
                                    
                Subjects
                  Consumer protection,
  Digital economy

European Commission and Dutch Authority Collaborate on Snapchat Investigation

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has initiated an investigation into the sale of vapes on Snapchat, which will now be integrated into a broader inquiry led by the European Commission.

 This collaboration aims to assess Snapchat's adherence to the Digital Services Act (DSA), particularly regarding the protection of minors and the exposure to illegal products.

 The investigation was prompted by concerns from the Dutch Youth Smoking Prevention Foundation, which argued that Snapchat was not doing enough to prevent the sale of vaping products to underage users.

 The European Commission has identified systemic risks associated with Snapchat's platform, necessitating stricter compliance measures for Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs). The investigation will cover various aspects, including age verification, privacy settings, and the platform's mechanisms for reporting illegal content.

 As of now, the timeline for the completion of this investigation remains uncertain.



European Commission and Dutch Authority Collaborate on Snapchat Investigation

The European Commission is expanding its investigation into Snapchat's compliance with the Digital Services Act, incorporating findings from the Dutch competition authority's inquiry into vape sales to minors.