Newsroom
The European Union is taking aim at the way TikTok is built, warning that the app’s design appears to push users into compulsive scrolling and may violate EU law.
In preliminary findings released this week, the European Commission said TikTok relies on features that are meant to keep people glued to their screens, such as infinite scroll, videos that play automatically, constant notifications, and a powerful recommendation system that seems to know exactly what users want next.
According to EU regulators, TikTok did not properly examine how these features affect people’s mental and physical health, particularly children and teenagers.
The concern is not just how long people spend on the app, but how little control they may have once they start scrolling.
Ignored warning signs
The Commission said TikTok failed to seriously look at clear red flags, including how often users open the app, how long minors stay on it late at night, and patterns that suggest compulsive use.
Scientific studies reviewed by investigators show that constantly feeding users new content can reduce self-control and encourage addictive behavior, something regulators say TikTok did not adequately factor into its risk assessments.
Safety tools seen as weak
While TikTok offers screen-time limits and parental controls, the Commission said these measures don’t appear to work as intended. Regulators found they are easy to bypass and often require extra effort and technical knowledge from parents, limiting their effectiveness.
Because of that, the EU believes the issue goes deeper than settings or reminders. Officials say TikTok may need to change how the platform works at its core.
That could mean limiting endless scrolling, enforcing real breaks, especially during nighttime hours, and rethinking how its algorithm pushes content to users.
What happens next
TikTok will now have a chance to review the Commission’s findings and respond. The investigation is still ongoing, and the conclusions are not yet final.
If the EU ultimately confirms that TikTok broke the rules, the company could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual revenue, a penalty that could run into billions of euros.
The case is part of a broader EU effort to rein in major tech platforms and make them legally responsible for the impact their products have on users.
EU officials say the message is simple: social media companies can no longer design apps that keep people hooked without considering the harm, especially when children are involved.
