On 10 November 2026, Spain’s Ministry of Youth and Childhood formally asked the Agencia Española de Protección de Datos (AEPD) to impose an exceptional, precautionary and temporary suspension of TikTok’s activities in the country. The request follows an investigation by the outlet ‘Maldita…es’ that documented thousands of pedophilic videos and profiles on the platform.
The ministry highlighted that the investigation identified 1,000 child‑abuse videos circulating on TikTok. Minister Sira Rego argued that the platform’s business model and its recommendation algorithms facilitate the spread of such harmful material, putting profit ahead of the rights and safety of children and adolescents.
Following the report, Minister Rego held an urgent meeting with TikTok representatives. She demanded an explanation for the platform’s failure to detect material that independent fact‑checkers had already uncovered. As she put it, “Si un medio de verificación es capaz de encontrar este material, ¿cómo es posible que TikTok, con todos sus recursos, no lo haga?” (If a verification medium can find this material, how is it possible that TikTok, with all its resources, does not?).
She said, “TikTok'un faaliyetlerini geçici olarak askıya almak hükümetin yetkisinde değil.
Rego also stressed that the authority to order a provisional suspension does not rest with her ministry. She said, “TikTok'un faaliyetlerini geçici olarak askıya almak hükümetin yetkisinde değil. Eğer bize kalsaydı, dün askıya alırdık.” (The government does not have the authority to temporarily suspend TikTok; if it were up to us, we would have done it yesterday). She added, “No hay ningún modelo de negocio que en nuestro país pueda estar por encima de los derechos de la infancia y la adolescencia.” (No business model in our country can be above the rights of children and adolescents).
The legal basis for the request is Article 66.1 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which permits authorities to take immediate provisional measures to protect fundamental rights and freedoms. By invoking this article, the ministry seeks a swift administrative response while the matter is examined.
The request now awaits a decision from the AEPD. If approved, TikTok would face a temporary halt of its services in Spain until the platform can guarantee a safe environment for minors.