EU Charges TikTok Over Addictive App Design

• The European Commission has formally charged TikTok with violating the Digital Services Act, citing concerns that the app’s design encourages compulsive use.
• Regulators argue that features such as infinite scroll, autoplay and personalised recommendations pose risks to users, especially minors.
• TikTok disputes the findings and now faces potential design changes or fines of up to 6% of ByteDance’s global revenue.

EU Raises Concerns About TikTok’s App Design

The European Commission has accused TikTok of breaching the Digital Services Act (DSA) by incorporating features that encourage excessive use. Officials highlighted elements such as infinite scroll, autoplay and push notifications, along with the platform’s highly personalised recommendation system. These design choices, the Commission said, can prompt users to continue scrolling automatically, reinforcing compulsive behaviour. The charges follow a year‑long investigation into how large platforms manage harmful and illegal content.

TikTok criticised the findings, calling the Commission’s assessment “categorically false” and saying it would challenge the conclusions. The company argued that its platform is being misrepresented and that the allegations lack merit. Regulators, however, maintain that TikTok failed to properly evaluate how its design affects users’ physical and mental wellbeing. Particular attention was given to children and vulnerable adults, who may be more susceptible to compulsive use patterns.

The Commission said TikTok overlooked key indicators of problematic engagement. These included the amount of time minors spend on the app at night and how frequently users reopen it. Regulators also noted that TikTok did not implement sufficient tools to mitigate these risks. Measures such as effective screen‑time controls and parental oversight were described as inadequate.

EU Calls for Changes to Addictive Features

EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said TikTok will be expected to modify its service in Europe to better protect minors. She pointed to the need for changes to the app’s core design, including limiting or disabling infinite scroll over time. Regulators also suggested introducing more robust screen‑time breaks, particularly during nighttime hours. Adjustments to the recommendation system were also proposed to reduce compulsive engagement.

The Commission’s move comes amid broader scrutiny of online platforms under the DSA. Meta’s Facebook and Instagram were charged last year for using deceptive interface designs, known as dark patterns. Other companies, including Snapchat, YouTube, Apple and Google, have been asked to provide information about their age‑verification systems. Regulators want to understand how these platforms prevent minors from accessing harmful or illegal content.

Several countries are considering stricter measures in response to concerns about social media addiction. France, Spain and India have debated limiting or banning access for teenagers. Australia recently became the first country to block children under 16 from platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. Virkkunen noted that age limits remain a national decision, though she said a more unified approach across Europe would be beneficial.

TikTok can request access to the Commission’s documents and submit a written defence before a final decision is issued. The company recently settled a lawsuit in the United States related to social media addiction. It also resolved a separate DSA case last year involving failures to publish an advertisement repository intended to help identify scam ads.

A Broader Crackdown on Big Tech

The charges against TikTok reflect the EU’s increasingly assertive stance toward major technology platforms. Officials argue that rapid advances in AI‑driven content systems require stronger oversight. The United States has criticised some of these actions as overreach, and tensions have risen over potential trade implications. Despite this, EU regulators say they will continue to enforce the DSA to ensure user safety.

Investigations into other platforms are progressing, according to Virkkunen, with decisions expected in the coming months. The Commission aims to create a consistent regulatory environment for online services operating in Europe. Its focus includes transparency, user protection and the reduction of harmful content. TikTok’s case is one of the most prominent examples of how these rules are being applied.

Lawmakers have welcomed the Commission’s actions. EU parliamentarian Alexandra Geese said many platforms rely on addictive mechanisms to increase advertising revenue. She argued that such practices come at the expense of young users’ health. The Commission’s charges, she said, represent an important step toward addressing these concerns.

Infinite scroll, one of the features highlighted by regulators, was originally developed to simplify browsing but has since been widely studied for its impact on user behaviour. Research suggests that continuous content feeds can reduce users’ awareness of time spent online. This has prompted several platforms to experiment with optional breaks or reminders, though implementation varies significantly across services.