European Commission on 5 February announced that TikTok’s infinite scroll and highly personalised recommender system constitute an addictive design that breaches the Digital Services Act. The Commission’s preliminary investigation indicates that TikTok did not adequately assess how these features could harm the physical and mental wellbeing of users, including minors and vulnerable adults. By constantly rewarding users with new content, certain design elements fuel the urge to keep scrolling and shift users’ brains into an “autopilot mode”.
The release cites figures that TikTok allegedly disregarded, such as the amount of time minors spend on the app at night, and argues that parental control tools are insufficient to curb the potential for compulsive behaviour and reduced self‑control. The investigation is preliminary; TikTok has been offered the opportunity to change its practices or to reply in writing and defend itself before any lasting decisions are made. The Commission will consult the European Board for Digital Services, and if its views are ultimately confirmed, TikTok may face a fine of up to 6 % of ByteDance’s total worldwide annual turnover. ByteDance surpassed Meta in quarterly revenue last year, making the potential fine substantial.
TikTok spokesperson Paolo Ganino described the preliminary findings as “categorically false” and an “entirely meritless depiction of our platform,” adding that the company will take “whatever steps are necessary to challenge these findings through every means available to us.” The EU previously fined X platform €120 million last year for deceptive design practices and other regulatory breaches. Whether TikTok will alter its design in response to this scrutiny remains to be seen, but the Commission’s action signals a willingness to enforce the Digital Services Act against major social‑media platforms.
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PC Gamer