EU Regulators Say TikTok’s Addictive Design Breaches Digital Services Act

The European Commission said Friday that TikTok appears to be breaking the bloc’s Digital Services Act through the “addictive design” of its app, according to RTE, France 24 and Euronews. The finding is preliminary and does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation, but it puts the video platform under pressure to change how it works in Europe.

The Commission named infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and a highly personalized recommender system as features of concern, RTE and France 24 reported. Regulators said TikTok did not adequately assess how those features could harm the wellbeing of users, including minors and vulnerable adults. They called its screen-time tools “easy to dismiss,” per the three outlets, and said its parental controls require extra time and skills from parents to set up, according to France 24 and Euronews.

If the findings are confirmed, the Commission can fine TikTok up to 6 percent of its worldwide annual turnover, according to RTE, France 24 and Euronews. The investigation was opened in February 2024, the outlets reported.

The Commission suggested changes to the service. Euronews quoted regulators as saying TikTok must change the basic design of its service, and the outlets described proposals to disable key features such as infinite scroll over time, add effective screen-time breaks, including at night, and adapt the recommender system.

TikTok rejected the findings. It called them a “categorically false and entirely meritless depiction” of its platform and said it will challenge them, according to RTE, France 24 and Euronews. The company pointed to existing safeguards, including a default 60-minute limit for users aged 13 to 17 and its Family Pairing parental controls, RTE and Euronews reported,.

The process is not over. France 24 reported that TikTok can now access the Commission’s files and defend itself, and Euronews said it can respond in writing, including with its own proposed solutions. The Commission will also consult the European Board for Digital Services, Euronews reported, and a non-compliance decision, with a fine, could follow only afterward.