TikTok Under EU Investigation for Addictive Design Practices

The European Commission has issued preliminary findings indicating that TikTok may be in breach of the Digital Services Act (DSA) due to platform features that encourage addictive use. The assessment focuses on infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and highly personalized recommendation systems, which may amplify compulsive behavior, particularly among minors and vulnerable users.

According to the Commission, TikTok has not adequately assessed the systemic risks these design choices pose to users’ physical and mental well-being. The investigation highlights concerns that constant content rewards can undermine self-control and foster excessive use. TikTok is also criticized for failing to sufficiently monitor indicators of problematic usage, including frequent app openings and nighttime activity among minors.

The Commission further found TikTok’s existing risk mitigation measures to be inadequate. Tools such as screen time limits and parental controls are considered ineffective due to their optional nature and ease of circumvention. The Commission suggests that more meaningful interventions could include limiting or disabling infinite scroll, enforcing mandatory screen breaks, including during nighttime hours, and modifying recommendation algorithms.

TikTok has been invited to respond to the preliminary findings and review the investigation file. If the Commission confirms its assessment, TikTok could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual turnover. The findings form part of an ongoing investigation based on internal company documents, risk assessments, scientific studies, and expert input, and do not yet constitute a final decision.