EU threatens TikTok with massive fine over addictive design features
Summary
The European Commission has issued preliminary findings that TikTok may have breached the Digital Services Act by using addictive design elements — including infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and a highly personalised recommender system. The probe, opened in February 2024, concludes that these features can encourage compulsive use and harm users’ well-being, particularly minors. If the findings are upheld TikTok could face a fine of up to 6% of global annual turnover. The Commission asked TikTok to change core design elements (for example, disable infinite scroll over time, introduce effective screen-time breaks including at night, and adapt its recommender).
The Commission also found that existing screen-time tools and parental controls on TikTok are easy to dismiss or too burdensome to use, and therefore ineffective. TikTok rejects the preliminary conclusions and will mount a defence; the decision is not final and the company can submit a written response.
Key Points
- The EU’s preliminary DSA findings target design features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and TikTok’s recommender system.
- If confirmed, TikTok could be fined up to 6% of its global annual turnover.
- The Commission believes these features create addictive, autopilot-style behaviour and can harm minors’ well‑being.
- Current screen-time management tools and parental controls on TikTok were judged ineffective by the Commission.
- TikTok rejects the findings and will have the opportunity to review the case file and submit a defence.
Context and relevance
This is one of the first high-profile tests of the Digital Services Act’s rules on manipulative or addictive design. A sustained finding and heavy fine would set a precedent for how regulators worldwide expect platforms to design user interfaces and recommender systems. Product teams, legal and compliance functions, and policymakers should watch closely: the outcome could force major UI/UX changes across social apps, increase regulatory risk for similar features, and shift how companies balance engagement with user safety.
Why should I read this?
Because this isn’t just another tech row — it could change how apps are built. The EU is flexing its new DSA powers and TikTok is centre stage. If you work in product, policy, safety or simply use social apps, this ruling could affect features you see every day. We’ve read the details so you don’t have to — but you’ll want to know what might be coming next.
Source
Source: https://therecord.media/eu-threatens-tiktok-with-fine-over-addictive-features