EU regulators on Friday accused TikTok of breaching the bloc’s online content rules, putting the video-sharing app at risk of having to redesign its service in Europe or face a fine linked to its global revenue.
The charges were laid out in preliminary findings by the European Commission after a year-long investigation under the Digital Services Act, which requires large platforms to address risks tied to harmful content and platform design.
The case centres on whether TikTok’s core features encourage compulsive use and fail to protect users, particularly children and vulnerable adults, marking a major test of the EU’s new digital rulebook.
DSA probe targets platform design
The European Commission said its investigation found that TikTok may not be complying with its obligations under the Digital Services Act.
The law requires large online platforms to assess and reduce systemic risks linked to their services, including risks to users’ physical and mental wellbeing.
According to the Commission, TikTok did not adequately assess how certain design choices could negatively affect users, including minors.
Regulators said the platform appeared to overlook warning signs of problematic use, such as the amount of time children spend on the app at night and how frequently users reopen it.
Addictive features under scrutiny
EU regulators focused on TikTok’s design features, including infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and its highly personalised recommendation system.
The Commission said these features continually generate new content that rewards users and encourages prolonged scrolling.
The watchdog argued that this design can shift users into an automatic mode of consumption, increasing the risk of compulsive behaviour.
Regulators said TikTok’s approach may amplify these effects by prioritising engagement without sufficient safeguards to prompt breaks or reduce excessive use.
Safeguards and user protection
The Commission said TikTok appears to have failed to implement reasonable and effective measures to mitigate risks stemming from its design.
These include screentime management tools and parental controls that regulators believe should play a stronger role in limiting harm, particularly for younger users.
EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said the Commission expects TikTok to take action following the publication of the preliminary findings, including changes to the design of its service in Europe.
She added that investigations into other large online platforms are progressing, with decisions expected in the coming weeks and months.
Response process and penalties
TikTok criticised the Commission’s findings and said it would challenge them.
Under the Digital Services Act process, the company can request access to the Commission’s documents and submit a written response before a final decision is issued.
If the findings are upheld, TikTok could be ordered to change key aspects of its app design and face a fine of up to 6% of the global turnover of its owner, ByteDance.
TikTok last year settled a separate Digital Services Act case related to advertising transparency after being accused of failing to publish an ad repository that allows researchers and users to detect scam advertisements.
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