EU court adviser sides with EU regulators against Tiktok in fight over tech label

An adviser to the European Union's top court has issued an opinion supporting the European Commission's decision to classify TikTok as a major online gatekeeper. This designation subjects the platform to strict regulatory requirements under the EU's Digital Markets Act, which aims to curb the market dominance of large technology companies. TikTok had challenged the classification, arguing that it does not meet the criteria for such a label.

The adviser's recommendation serves as a significant legal development in the ongoing dispute between the platform and EU regulators. While the court is not legally bound to follow the adviser's opinion, it frequently does so in final rulings. If the court upholds the gatekeeper status, TikTok will be required to comply with enhanced obligations regarding interoperability, data portability, and fair competition practices.